San Miguel prevented a meltdown from taking place as it survived Magnolia’s late-game rally, 103-95, to draw first blood in the PBA Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup Finals, Friday night at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
Free throws by CJ Perez and June Mar Fajardo inside the last 29.3 seconds were what the Beermen needed to gain enough separation after the Hotshots crawled back from as deep as a 20-point gap and got to within five, 100-95.
Perez finished with 19 points, while the seven-time MVP supplied 11 points and 11 rebounds to help SMB gain a head start in the best-of-7 series.
“When you play a tough team like Magnolia, you will have to play 48 minutes. if you don’t, this is what’s going to happen,” said coach Jorge Gallent.
Bennie Boatwright top-scored for San Miguel with 28 points and 16 rebounds, doing much of the damage in the second chapter that saw him lead a 41-point barrage on the way to a commanding 61-44 lead at the break.
Crucial in that assault as well were Perez and Marcio Lassiter, who had eight of his 16 points in the said period and went 4-of-4 from deep in the first half.
They went on to enjoy a lead as high as 94-74 early in the fourth quarter but then again, their rivals fought back behind an unlikely spark provided by the third group, led by Joseph Eriobu and Russel Escoto.
However, fatigue from their Semis Game 4 win against Phoenix just two nights ago caught up on Coach Chito Victolero’s wards, and the Perez-Fajardo connection would go on to dash their comeback hopes.
“It’s just good we didn’t panic. That’s the main thing. The players were composed. They know how to win. Lucky for me,” Gallent said.
Tyler Bey, on the other hand, finished with 26 points on 24 attempts and 15 rebounds to lead Magnolia in the rally that fell short.
Mark Barroca was the only other double-digit scorer for the Hotshots with 16 points.
The Scores:
San Miguel 103 – Boatwright 28, Perez 19, Lassiter 16, Fajardo 11, Trollano 10, Cruz 8, Romeo 5, Teng 4, Ross 2, Enciso 0, Tautuaa 0, Brondial 0.
Magnolia 95 – Bey 26, Barroca 16, Jalalon 8, Sangalang 8, Dionisio 8, Eriobu 7, Abueva 6, Lee 6, Tratter 5, Escoto 3, Laput 2, Mendoza 0, Dela Rosa 0, Reavis 0.
Quarterscores: 20-24, 61-44, 85-72, 103-95.
