SMB catches fire in fourth to burn Alaska in Game 2 of PBA Finals
Clutching his back and appearing to be in pain, June Mar Fajardo walked out to San Miguel’s dugout. The game wasn’t over yet but the Beermen had the game all wrapped up.
The Beermen broke free from a tight contest in the first three periods, using a searing fourth quarter attack to blast the Alaska Aces, 100-86, last night in Game 2 of the 40th PBA Philippine Cup Best-of-Seven Finals at the Araneta Coliseum.
Bouncing back from an 82-88 overtime loss in Game 1, where they squandered a 22-point lead, the Beermen put the Aces away with a torrid run in the fourth that tied the series at one-all.
Scuffles led to several stoppages as technical fouls came aplenty as a result of highly physical plays.
San Miguel’s Arwind Santos had to leave in the third period after sustaining a two-inch cut just above the forehead inflicted by Alaska’s Calvin Abueva during a rebounding battle.
Santos returned at the start of the fourth and made sudden impact when he hit a three-pointer, giving the Beermen a 75-70 lead. Santos’ basket triggered a 13-2 run for the Beermen, who suddenly saw themselves up big, 85-72, with 8:49 left.
With their usually unforgiving defense non existent, the Aces couldn’t recover as the Beermen further pulled away, 95-77, in the final five minutes of the contest.
However, San Miguel may face a huge concern going into Game 3 as Fajardo appeared to have hurt his back, causing him to leave the contest early.
Santos topped the Beermen with 22 points, while Chris Lutz, added 20.
Scoring wasn’t a problem for San Miguel with Fajardo, Chris Ross and rookie David Semerad also cashing in twin digits to finish with 37 combined points.
Semerad gave the Beermen a huge lift in the third period, where Alaska led by as many as six points. The rookie scored six straight points, helping San Miguel turn a 64-65 deficit into a 70-65 advantage.
BOX SCORES
SAN MIGUEL (100)– Santos 22, Lutz 20, Fajardo 15, Ross 12, Semerad 10, Lassiter 8, Cabagnot 7, Omolon 2, Pascual 2, Tubid 2, Kramer 0, Fortuna 0.
ALASKA (86)– Thoss 16, Casio 14, Baguio 13, Abueva 11, Hontiveros 8, Banchero 7, Jazul 5, Menk 4, Dela Cruz 4, Eman 2, Manuel 2, Exciminiano 0, Dela Rosa 0.
QUARTERSCORES: 32-28, 51-48, 72-70, 100-86.
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