The San Miguel Beermen clawed back from 29 down to frustrate the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 117-105, and move a win away from entering the 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals, Monday evening at SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Beermen unfurled a 31-4 blitz to turn an 18-44 deficit to just two points late in the second quarter. They then scored 13 straight in the third quarter en route to a 72-60 lead. That set up the rout that saw them lead by as many as 23 points.
“This game is unbelievable,” said SMB head coach Leo Austria, visibly in awe of the result. “I’m really surprised at what happened. We’re down by 29 points, and all of a sudden, we’re able to catch up and take the lead.”
Chris Ross was at the forefront of the San Miguel’s comeback, burying 10 three-pointers – tying Marcio Lassiter for the franchise-record for most treys – for a career-high 34 points. He also finished with eight assists, three steals, and a rebound.
Ross is only the fifth local player in league history to hit 10 treys in a game. He joins the likes of Lassiter, Allan Caidic, Kenneth Duremdes, and TNT KaTropa’s Roger Pogoy, who also achieved the feat this conference.
“I cannot believe, especially Chris Ross, on his shooting. I think ano eh, ‘yung spirit ni Marcio Lassiter napapunta sa kanya ngayon. Siya naging shooter namin,” quipped Austria of Ross, whose previous career-high was 31 points.
Chris McCullough had 22 points, 14 rebounds, six assists, two steals, and a block. Alex Cabagnot had 17 points, seven assists, and four rebounds, while Christian Standhardinger supplied 15 markers off the bench.
June Mar Fajardo bounced back from the nine-point, one-rebound outing he had in Game One to finish with 14 points and 15 rebounds this time around. Terrence Romeo chimed in 12 markers spiked by three triples.
“Not only Chris Ross, every stepped up after being down. They know the importance of this game,” Austria said.
Carl Montgomery had 24 points, 15 rebounds, and six assists to lead Rain or Shine, who lost hold of a 20-plus-point lead for the second time this conference. The first time was versus NorthPort last June 19, where they blew a 25-point lead.
Rey Nambatac had 15 points. Ed Daquioag supplied 13 points, while James Yap added 12 markers.
The Beermen can formalize their entry into the Finals in Game Three on Wednesday.
The Scores:
San Miguel 117 – Ross 34, McCullough 22, Cabagnot 17, Standhardinger 15, Fajardo 14, Romeo 12, Pessumal 3, Rosser 0, Mamaril 0, Santos 0, Tubid 0, Nabong 0, Zamar 0.
Rain or Shine 105 – Montgomery 24, Nambatac 15, Daquioag 13, Yap 12, Ponferada 8, Belga 8, Norwood 6, Torres 5, Mocon 5, Borboran 4, Alejandro 3, Onwubere 2, Rosales 0.
Quarterscores: 13-34, 49-52, 89-73, 117-105.
