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[av_heading heading=’Beermen keeps slate clean in PH Cup’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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January 26, 2018
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MANILA – San Miguel Beermen has tightened its grip on the top spot of the PBA Philippine Cup.
A fourth quarter run made Beermen defeat GlobalPort Batang Pier 107-93 and surge to a 5-0 win-loss record.
Batang Pier was holding on to a slim 85-83 lead when Brian Heruela, June Mar Fajardo and Arwind Santos scored huge for Beermen to suddenly pull away 101-85 with over a minute left in the match.
With 34 points, 13 rebounds, three assists, and three blocks, Fajardo led the charge for the three-time defending champion during the Wednesday night game at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Heruela also played huge in lieu of the injured Alex Cabagnot with conference-best 17 points, while Santos and Marcio Lassiter also came up with 17 apiece for Beermen.
GlobalPort made an early 10-point edge but San Miguel countered with a run, and a Santos triple let it momentarily snatch the lead 38-36. Batang Pier had conversions from Stanley Pringle to take a 47-43 lead at the half.
A seesaw battle ensued in the third frame until Beermen hanged to a 74-72 lead, which widened to 6 at the onset of the fourth before GlobalPort made a last push for the lead 85-83 on a Kelly Nabong basket.
“I was really expecting this kind of game because GlobalPort has been really playing well,” said Beermen head coach Leo Austria. “I am happy that our players – the starters and the reserves – have stepped up.”
Pringle finished with 23 points, while Nabong and Sean Anthony contributed 17 apiece for Batang Pier (2-3), which continued to miss the services of star guard Terrence Romeo./PN
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