Recharged Beermen go 2-1 over Hotshots
San Miguel Beer made good use of all the energy regained from a six-day respite, best demonstrating it in a vicious assault to start the fourth quarter as the reigning champ crushed Magnolia, 111-87, for a crucial 2-1 lead in the PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.
San Miguel’s super starting unit got the team to a strong start and the SMB bench came up with the big show in the fourth period as the Beermen surged ahead in the series with backto-back wins after a heartbreaker in Game One.
“I think the one-week break worked on our favor. The key was that we’re able to match their energy. Actually, lagpas-lagpas pa (We actually surpassed their energy),” said San Miguel coach Leo Austria.
“We’re able to recharge, recuperate from minor injuries and focus, and our second group came out to do a wonderful job,” Austria added. “What our starters can do is a given. A big help was the effort put in by our bench tonight.”
June Mar Fajardo, Marcio Lassiter, Chris Ross and Arwind Santos delivered their usual numbers and enjoyed an extra breather as their reserves dished out a good job to put Magnolia away in the fourth quarter.
Brian Heruela, Matt Ganuelas Rosser and Gabby Espinas made their presence felt in a lethal 15-0 run the Beermen unleashed to break the game wide open at 92-71.
Fajardo came through with another doubledouble game with 21 points and 17 rebounds despite resting the whole final quarter while Lassiter sizzled with a game-high 24 points spiked by 5-of-9 three-pointers.
Heruela stood out among the SMB shocktroopers with 11 markers while Espinas, Rosser, Von Pessumal, Louie Vigil and David Semerad combined for 22 markers.
“Big credit to our second group, they really stepped up and gave us a good rest,” said Fajardo.
Magnolia coach Chito Victolero himself acknowledged the contribution of the SMB bench in their victory.
“We need to find ways to match their energy and intensity. The problem was that even their bench delivered tonight,” said Victolero.
The Beermen try to move in the threshold of a Philippine Cup four-peat in Game Four Wednesday also at the Big Dome.
“The second group played well at the start of the fourth, that’s why I let them play all the way to the last two minutes. If we can keep on playing this way, I’m confident we can keep on winning,” said Austria.
NOTES: The Beermen dedicated to SMB legend Samboy Lim their Game Three victory. “It’s his birthday and I heard he’s always tuned in to our game. Samboy happy birthday, this is for you,” said coach Leo Austria during the post-game interview. The scores: SAN MIGUEL 111 – Lassiter 24, Fajardo 21, Ross 14, Santos 14, Heruela 11, Espinas 9, Cabagnot 5, Rosser 5, Pessumal 4, Semerad 2, Vigil 2, Mamaril 0, Lanete 0.
MAGNOLIA 87 – Barroca 22, Lee 15, Ramos 12, Simon 10, Sangalang 6, Dela Rosa 6, Jalalon 6, Gamalinda 6, Reavis 4, Pascual 0, Mendoza 0, Brondial 0, Herndon 0.
Quarterscores: 29-22, 50-49, 75-68, 111-87