SMBeer ousts NLEX; GSM meets Alaska
Games Today (Smart Araneta Coliseum) 4:30 p.m. – Meralco vs Rain or Shine 6:45 p.m. – Ginebra vs Alaska
arcio Lassiter scored 11 of his 26 points in the final three minutes of the second quarter as defending champion San Miguel downed NLEX, 125-114, to move a win shy of clinching a quarterfinals berth in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Calasiao Sports Complex in Pangasinan.
Lassiter made 6-of-9 triples, including three in the crucial juncture in the second that enabled the Beermen to seize control and restore their hold on fifth place in the standings with a 5-4 record entering the long break.
San Miguel was behind 52-51 when Lassiter led the late charge to gain a 65-55 lead at the half, forcing NLEX to attempt multiple comeback tries in the Petron Saturday Special affair but to no avail.
June Mar Fajardo had 30 points and 13 rebounds and import Renaldo Balkman produced 26 points, 16 rebounds and four steals to also help San Miguel register its fifth win in six games after starting the conference at 0-3.
Kelly Nabong, acquired from GlobalPort in exchange for veteran forward Gabby Espinas and a 2020 second draft pick two days earlier, made his San Miguel debut but turned in only four points and two rebounds while nursing four personal fouls.
San Miguel’s victory formally eliminated NLEX from the quarterfinal race, spoiled import Arnett Moultrie’s game-high 43 points.
Not even a vintage performance from 45-year-old center Asi Taulava, whose 18 points were made courtesy of six three-pointers, was enough for the Road Warriors to avoid falling to 2-8.
Meanwhile, Rain or Shine shoots for a twice-to-beat advantage when it takes on Meralco today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Elasto Painters, carrying a league-best 8-1 record, take on the Bolts at 4:30 p.m. with a chance at not only gaining the twice-to-beat but also secure the top seed in the quarters. Meralco, meanwhile, is out to improve its 7-3 record two days after a 91-85 loss to TNT KaTropa.
Alaska, in second place at 7-2, also seeks a victory that will put them closer to the twice-to-beat but faces a tough challenge facing streaking Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in the second game at 6:45 p.m.
Ginebra has won its last three games to move in seventh place at 4-5 and will attempt to neutralize the Vic Manuel-led Alaska side.
The score:
Fajardo 30, Lassiter 26, Balkman 25, Cabagnot 17, Ross 12, Heruela 4, Santos 4, Rosser 3, Mamaril 2, Nabong 2, Pessumal 0. Moultrie 43, Taulava 18, Tiongson 8, Baguio 7, Ighalo 6, Quinahan 6, Tallo 6, Uyloan 5, Rios 5, Soyud 5, Buenafe 3, Gotladera 2, Marcelo 0. Quarters: 31-34; 65-55; 97-85; 125-114.