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[av_heading heading=’Lassiter leads Beermen to take semis Game 1 vs TNT’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
By ADRIAN STEWART CO
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Thursday, February 9, 2017
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TNT Katropa forward Kelly Williams (left) rises above San Miguel Beermen titan June Mar Fajardo during their 2016-2017 Oppo PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven semifinals match on Wednesday.PBA
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MANILA – The San Miguel Beermen scored a wire-to-wire 111-98 victory over the TNT Katropa in Game 1 of the 2016-2017 Oppo PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven semifinals on Wednesday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Marcio Lassiter led the way with 22 points, including four three-point conversions, for the Beermen, which is looking to move closer to its third consecutive All-Filipino Cup championship.
June Mar Fajardo chipped in 21 markers, while Alex Cabagnot, Arwind Santos and Gabby Espinas contributed 20, 15 and 13 points, respectively, for the Beermen, which has won its last 12 matches.
The Beermen zoomed to a 10-2 start behind triples by Lassiter and Santos. The Katropa came to within three points but three-point baskets by Ilonggo Ronald Tubid, Espinas and RR Garcia allowed the Beermen to build its largest lead at 34-16.
The Katropa responded early in the second frame on consecutive points by Jayson Castro to come to within 39-33. But three-pointers by Cabagnot, Lassiter and Santos increased Beermen’s lead to 56-46 at halftime.
The Beermen went aggressive at the start of the third frame behind Fajardo and Lassiter for a 64-49 edge. The Katropa, however, had another run to come to within 76-69 but triples by Cabagnot and Lassiter gave the Beermen another double-digit edge.
The Beermen had mounted a strong opening in the fourth as baskets by Espinas and Garcia increased the lead to 15 points but the Katropa refused to give up as it made another run courtesy of Kelly Williams to cut the deficit to seven points.
The Beermen, however, had a quick response behind conversions by Cabagnot and Fajardo for a 108-93 upperhand. The Katropa made its last push to come to within 10 points but free throws by Santos and Chris Ross sealed the win for the Beermen.
Castro finished with 27 points, while Williams added conference-high 24 markers for the Katropa, which hopes to bounce back in Game 2 tomorrow night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City./PN
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