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BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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February 6, 2018
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MANILA – San Miguel Beermen recovered from a 16-point deficit to score a 77-76 victory over Magnolia Hotshots in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
The win allowed San Miguel to move up to solo first place – kicking Magnolia off the top spot – with a 6-1 win-loss record.
Trailing 40-56 midway in the third period, Beermen closed the quarter with a 12-4 scoring run behind Chico Lanete, June Mar Fajardo and Marcio Lassiter to pull to within 52-60 on Sunday night.
Beermen continued its run in the fourth quarter with hits from Lassiter and Lanete to cut the deficit 61-64. Hotshots raised the lead 68-62 on a jumper by Justin Melton but Beermen rallied back to take the lead 70-69 on a Chris Ross triple.
Both teams exchanged lead several times before Beermen took the edge 73-71 on a Lanete triple. The lead increased 77-73 on free throws by Fajardo and Lassiter before Mark Barroca came up with a last-minute triple for Hotshots to trim the deficit 76-77.
Fajardo led Beermen with double-double 19 points and 21 rebounds while Ross added 15 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and three steals.
Taking over the spot of injured Alex Cabagnot, Lanete came up with a solid contribution of 14 points, on 4-of-5 shooting from the three-point line, to go along with four rebounds, four assists and four steals.
“Magnolia was very determined to beat us,” said Beermen head coach Leo Austria. “We’re shocked with the kind of defense they showed. But we were able to focus and the composure of our players was there.”
Barroca led Magnolia with 21 points while Ian Sangalang and Melton added 13 and 10 points, respectively. The loss snapped Hotshots’ five-game streak and relegated the team to 6-2./PN
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