SMB bounces back in finals

The San Miguel Beermen bounced back from a lopsided beating in Game 1 to even the series with a 134-109 beating of Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings in Game 2 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals last Sunday night in the Araneta Coliseum.

San Miguel was determined to bounce back from the onset, taking a 34-23 lead after a quarter of action. It was in the second quarter that the Beermen clearly outclassed the Gin Kings and ended up with a 29-point lead at halftime.

“I was sad the last time when we were humiliated. But we have a series now, and I’m thankful to my players for realizing the importance of this game,” San Miguel head coach Leo Austria told PBA.ph.

Some of the Beermen’s key players who didn’t contribute in Game 1, like Alex Cabagnot and Marcio Lassiter, lit up the scoreboards.

Cabagnot, who started in place of Arwind Santos, was scorching with 33 points from 12 of 18 from the field to lead the Beermen. He also grabbed four rebounds, dished out nine assists and four steals.

June Mar Fajardo had 25 points and eight rebounds, while Renaldo Balkman had a double-double with 20 markers and 11 boards.

Lassiter added 20, Christian Sand hardinger also had 20 points coming off the bench and Santos added 14.

“One blowout was followed by another blowout. Funny, we talked about them turning the tables. We talked about it, and talked about it, but we still failed to stop them,” said Cone. “Now we know they are who they are for a reason.” /