Gabby Espinas of San Miguel Beer is granged up by Alaska’s Vic Manuel and Cris Eximiniano in Game 4 of the 41st PBA PH Cup Finals last night at the Philsports Arena. (INQUIRER PHOTO)
Beermen avert sweep, nip Aces in OT to extend PH Cup Finals
In its storied history, San Miguel Beer has never been swept in a best-of-seven series. It will stay that way.
The defending champions Beermen refused to just roll over and die as they outlasted the Alaska Aces in overtime, 110-104, in Game 4 of the 41st PBA Philippine Cup Best-of-Seven Finals last night at the Philsports Arena.
Though still down in the series, 1-3, the Beermen salvaged some pride by displaying the heart of a champion that saw them clawing back from an 11-point deficit in the closing minutes of regulation.
Downed by a knee injury, June Mar Fajardo still did not suit for the Beermen but he was in the venue in street clothes to receive the Best Player of the Conference award prior to the start of the game.
Fajardo’s mere presence may have inspired his teammates.
It appeared the Aces were minutes away from sealing the crown when they erected a 93-82 lead with 3:30 left regulation.
Arwind Santos, Gabby Espinas and Marcio Lassiter then sparked a big San Miguel fightback as the trio connived in scorching rally that allowed the Beermen to wrest the upper-hand, 96-93, with 19.8 seconds left.
Calvin Abueva ended Alaska’s scoring drought with a layup but two free throws by Chris Ross shoved the Beermen to a 98-95 lead with 4.5 seconds left.
Cyrus Baguio then came up with a highlight reel, knocking down a big-three-pointer at the buzzer that sent into a five-minute extension.
Alaska seemed to have recovered from its fourth quarter collapse with Vic Manuel opening the overtime period with four straight points, putting the Aces on top, 102-98.
Ross, who tallied 11 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists to bag the Best Player of the Game honors, kept San Miguel in the thick of fight with two hard drives to the basket that tied the contest at 102-all.
A hustle play in a critical possession by Ross also made a big difference as he saved the ball from falling out of bounds that led to a three-pointer by Alex Cabagnot as the Beermen took the lead for good, 105-102, with 1:52 left.
Stepping in for the fouled out Gabby Espinas, Yancy de Ocampo had his own clutch play when buried a mid-range jumper that extended San Miguel’s lead to 107-102 with 1:16 to go.
Alaska sealed its downfall with two straight turnovers, resulting to four straight free throws by Cabagnot and de Ocampo.
THE SCORES
SAN MIGUEL (110) – Lassiter 26, Espinas 21, Cabagnot 16, Ross 11, Santos 11, Tubid 8, De Ocampo 6, Lutz 4, Reyes 4, Heruela 3, Arana 0, Omolon 0, Semerad 0.
ALASKA (104) – Manuel 20, Abueva 14, Hontiveros 14, Casio 13, Banchero 12, Baguio 11, Thoss 9, Exciminiano 5, Jazul 4, Baclao 2, Dela Rosa 0, Menk 0 QUARTERSCORES: 20-28, 43-49, 69-77, 98-98, 110-104.