The San Miguel Beermen got back on the winning track, snapping the Magnolia Hotshots’ five-game winning streak, 77-76, Sunday night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
The reigning three-time Philippine Cup champions have improved to 6-1, retaking the top spot in the standings. The Hotshots, meanwhile, dropped to 6-2 and are tied with Alaska Aces at second place.
“I would like to thank God for this win against Magnolia, which is very determined to beat us,” said Beermen head coach Leo Austria.
“Sa start we were shocked with the defense they had. Pinreserve nila yung energy nila,” he admitted, referring to the fiery start by the Hotshots, where they were even able to lead by as much as 16 points late in the third quarter.
June Mar Fajardo was just a point away from another 20-20 outing, finishing with 19 points and 21 rebounds along with two blocks to lead the Beermen. Chris Ross had 15 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and three steals.
Down by 10, 52-62, in the opening seconds of the final chapter, the Beermen then unfurled an 18-7 rally — punctuated by Ross’ booming triple off a Marcio Lassiter kickout — to snatch the lead, 70-69, with 3:01 on the clock.
Jio Jalalon immediately put Magnolia ahead again with a pull-up jumper, 71-70, with 1:45 to go, but that proved to be the last time the Hotshots tasted the lead, as Chico Lanete buried a triple to help San Miguel regain advantage, 73-71, 12 seconds later.
Magnolia still tried to come back, as Aldrech Ramos made a tip-in off a Mark Barroca miss, but Fajardo did not allow the opposition to rise back, nailing two free throws to make it a three-point game, 76-73, with 23.6 on the clock.
The Hotshots had one last chance to tie the game, but Jalalon’s floater missed. Arwind Santos grabbed the miss, and his split free throws with seven ticks left to play completed the come-from-behind finish.
Barroca’s triple went in seconds after Santos’ split, but time had already expired, shutting the door for Magnolia’s hopes.
“Based on our experience last six games, it’s not that physical pero tonight, it’s very intense. We’re able to focus our game plan. Maybe it’s the experience of the player because they’re used to this,” the champion mentor said.
Lanete had his best game so far for San Miguel, with 14 points on 4-of-5 triples on top of four rebounds, four assists, and four steals. Lassiter had 12 markers, seven boards, five dimes, and three steals, while Santos had 11 and six.
This has been the third straight outing that the Beermen played without Alex Cabagnot due to plantar fasciitis.
Barroca led Magnolia with 21 points and five rebounds. Ian Sangalang had 13 points and seven caroms, while Justin Melton chipped in 10 markers, seven boards, four assists, and two steals. Marc Pingris had 14 rebounds.
San Miguel will next face the Blackwater Elite on Friday, February 9, 4:30 PM at Cuneta Astrodome, while Magnolia will aim to bounce back versus the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters on Saturday, February 10, 5:00 PM in Calasiao, Pangasinan.
The Scores:
San Miguel 77 – Fajardo 19, Ross 15, Lanete 14, Lassiter 12, Santos 11, Rosser 6, Semerad 0, Agovida 0, Heruela 0, Mamaril 0, Pessumal 0.
Magnolia 76 – Barroca 21, Sangalang 13, Melton 10, Jalalon 8, Ramos 7, Pingris 5, Dela Rosa 4, Reavis 4, Simon 2, Pascual 2, Herndon 0.
Quarterscores: 21-20, 34-44, 52-60, 77-76.
