San Miguel nipped Bay Area in a thriller, 98-96, to avoid a sweep in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semis, Sunday night at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
Simon Enciso nailed the go-ahead three-pointer with 10.8 seconds left, and Devon Scott preserved that big shot by blocking Kobey Lam’s attempt off a drive on the other end as the Beermen went on to keep their conference alive.
“I think that is the winning block because last time, we were beaten by Kobey Lam on a layup. This time, he did not allow it,” said head coach Leo Austria, referring to their heartbreaking 103-102 Game One defeat last Wednesday.
Scott submitted easily his best outing to date as he led SMB with 25 points, 14 rebounds, two assists, a steal, and two blocks.
“Devon was really focused on this game,” said Austria as his import only scored a total of 23 points in the semis’ first two games, including nine in the opener.
June Mar Fajardo produced 21 points and 16 rebounds with three blocks in yet another solid performance on both ends of the floor.
“For your information, June Mar is really recuperating from a minor injury but he’s still there,” Austria lauded. “He’s a warrior. Talagang makikita natin eh, kung sino si June Mar. This is playoff time so he never left us ever since.”
CJ Perez made 17 points, four rebounds, and five assists, including the kickout to Enciso for the booming trifecta. He also added two steals.
Terrence Romeo added 13 markers for the Beermen, who hope to repeat in Game Four of the best-of-five on Wednesday, December 21, 5:45 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay to drag their foes to a rubber match.
“It’s really tough for us, but I think, our players, pride ang umiiral dahil we’re up against a foreign team, it’s a good challenge for them. Win or loss, as long as we’re fighting for the pride of the Filipino people, we’re okay,” said Austria.
Andrew Nicholson, meanwhile, had 34 points and 14 rebounds to lead Bay Area in the loss that snapped the guest team’s seven-game winning streak that dates back all the way to the tailend of the elimination round.
Zhu Songwei made 17 points, seven rebounds, and six assists in nearly 34 minutes despite hobbling due to an apparent leg injury.
Lam made 12 points, including the triple from the right corner off a Zhu assist that gave the Dragons the 96-93 lead with 51.4 seconds left.
He would’ve been the hero yet again like in Game One which saw him cap off his side’s comeback from 16 down, but the Beermen had other plans. Scott’s free throws cut the gap to a point, and Enciso put them up with that trey.
Lam then saw his shot get swatted away by Scott, and Hayden Blankley’s failed attempt inside as time expired foiled Bay Area’s sweep attempt.
It was the Hong Kong-based ball club’s first loss to San Miguel after winning their first three encounters.
The Scores:
San Miguel 98 –Scott 25, Fajardo 21, Perez 17, Enciso 16, Romeo 13, Lassiter 6, Ross 0, Cruz 0, Manuel 0, Brondial 0.
Bay Area 96 – Nicholson 34, Zhu 17, Liu 12, Lam 12, Blankley 10, Ju 6, Yang 5, Ewing 0.
Quarterscores: 17-24, 43-47, 75-70, 98-96
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The second game of each PBA gameday is live-streamed on SMART Sports.
