The San Miguel Beermen clinched their third win in the Smart Bro PBA Philippine Cup at the expense of Blackwater Elite 93-83 at the Philsports Arena. San Miguel are now tied with the Alaska Aces with a 3-1 record while Blackwater maintain their place at tenth in the standings at 1-3.
Blackwater started well in the game with a 16-17 lead courtesy of a Reil Cervantes basket in the first quarter, only to collapse after an 8-0 run by San Miguel. The Beermen eventually finished the first quarter with a 24-19 edge.
San Miguel then started the second quarter with momentum and led 37-29. Undeterred, Blackwater made a 3-11 run of their own to cut the deficit to 40-42. Former San Beda stalwart Art Dela Cruz scored to equalize the ballgame at halftime for Blackwater 44-44.
Marcio Lassiter and Alex Cabagnot scored two consecutive threes to give San Miguel a 64-60 lead at the third quarter but former Green Archer Mike Cortez leveled the scores for Blackwater 65-65. Jay-R and free throws from Gabby Espinas Reyes gave San Miguel a 70-68 margin. Bam-bam cut San Miguel’s margin to 70-68 at the end of the third quarter.
It is the fourth quarter where the Beermen turned up. The Beermen were able to erect an 84-79 advantage, however Cortez and JP Erram gave Blackwater a lifeline at 81-84. Seven straight points, five of which came from Cabagnot granted the San Miguel a huge 91-81 safety to eventually win 93-83.
Gilas pool members Junemar Fajardo and Lassiter topscored for San Miguel with 20 points each, followed by Cabagnot at 15. Erram and Cortez made 23 and 15 markers respectively for Blackwater.
The Scores:
San Miguel Beer (93) – Fajardo 20, Lassiter 20, Cabagnot 15, Santos 10, Tubid 9, Espinas 8, Reyes 3, Arana 2, De Ocampo 2, Heruela 2, Lutz 2, Ross 0.
Blackwater (83) – Erram 23, Cortez 15, Gamalinda 14, Lastimosa 14, Dela Cruz 4, Sena 4, Canada 2, Cervantes 2, Reyes 2, Vosotros 2, Melano 1, Agovida 0, Ballesteros 0.
Quarterscores: 24-19, 44-44, 72-70, 93-83
