Despite not having Terrence Romeo and Alex Cabagnot, the San Miguel Beermen did not back down from a shootout against the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, taking a 99-91 victory, Sunday evening at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
San Miguel lost hold of the wide 23-point lead they built in the third quarter, as the Gin Kings rallied and closed to within five with 1:28 left to play. But Marcio Lassiter spoiled their run with a corner triple just 16 seconds later to call game.
Both teams now sport 1-1 cards.
“I’m so happy for this win, especially coming from that game we were expected to win,” said SMB head coach Leo Austria, since the Beermen suffered a stinging 118-124 loss to the Columbian Dyip just two nights ago.
“It’s a good thing nakabawi kami ngayon at malaking isda pa yung nabingwit.”
After making just six points in their sorry loss to Dyip, Christian Standhardinger led the way for the reigning four-time all-Filipino champs. He produced 26 points, six rebounds, three assists, three steals, and two blocks.
Chris Ross was also in his element with 22 points, eight dimes, and six boards.
The Beermen displayed their lethal championship form in the third period. They converted an eight-point lead to a gargantuan 23 points, 76-53, thanks to a Von Pessumal three-pointer with 1:40 left in the chapter.
But the Gin Kings still fought back gallantly. With Japeth Aguilar, Scottie Thompson, and LA Tenorio joining hands, the Barangay made a 14-3 rally to close within striking distance, 94-89, with 1:28 left in the final frame.
However, the Beermen quickly doused Ginebra’s fiery run. Pessumal found Lassiter open at the left corner, and the latter made the triple to widen SMB’s lead with 1:12 left to play, ending the opposition’s hopes.
Lassiter finished with 16 points, six assists, and five rebounds, while Pessumal – a part of San Miguel’s starting five – supplied 13 markers. June Mar Fajardo only had 10 points and 11 boards, as he committed six errors.
Alex Cabagnot and Terrence Romeo missed the game, with the former dealing with a hamstring injury, while the latter recuperates from a left ankle sprain he sustained against Columbian.
“I’m happy for the players because everybody stepped up, especially in defense. We were being criticized for our defense after our first game. If we will continue that, we will have a bright future this conference,” Austria said.
Tenorio led Ginebra with 24 points, six rebounds, and five assists. Aguilar made 20 points and seven rebounds, while Greg Slaughter had 11 and 10.
San Miguel will next face the Meralco Bolts on Friday, January 25 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. Meanwhile, Ginebra will look to bounce back versus the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters on Saturday, January 26 in Calasiao, Pangasinan.
The Scores:
San Miguel 99 – Standhardinger 26, Ross 22, Lassiter 16, Pessumal 13, Fajardo 10, Santos 6, Nabong 6, Tubid 0, Zamar 0.
Ginebra 91 – Tenorio 24, Aguilar 20, Slaughter 11, Thompson 9, Devance 6, Teodoro 6, Dela Cruz 4, Ferrer 4, Caguioa 3, Mariano 2, Mercado 2.
Quarterscores: 20-17, 44-35, 78-57, 99-91.
