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[av_heading heading=’Beermen staves off Meralco 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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MANILA – San Miguel Beermen squandered a lead as high as 22 points before escaping Meralco Bolts 103-97 in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Alex Cabagnot posted 29 points to top the scoring for Beermen. June Mar Fajardo added 26 with nine rebounds while Marcio Lassiter and Von Pessumal had 18 and 11, respectively, during the Wednesday night game.
The victory allowed the three-time All-Filipino conference champion to tie with NLEX Road Warriors on top with a 2-0 win-loss record. Bolts, now with 1-1, tied with Phoenix Fuel Masters and Magnolia Hotshots.
Beermen had torrid shooting in the first half behind outside shootings from Cabagnot, Lassiter and Pessumal, and a baseline hit by Fajardo to build a lead as high as 22 points, 55-33.
Meralco made a huge run in the third courtesy of Mike Tolomia to close in 71-72 but San Miguel quickly countered with baskets from Cabagnot and Lassiter for an 81-73 advantage.
Bolts made another run early in the fourth to cut the deficit 80-85 on baskets by Ilonggo Ken Bono before Beermen managed to pull away anew 95-85 on inside hits by Fajardo.
Beermen was ahead 102-90 when Bolts made its last push with back-to-back hits from Bono and Tolomia to cut the deficit 97-102. A free throw from Chris Ross sealed the win for San Miguel.
“We are just thankful that we ended the year with a bang,” said Beermen head coach Leo Austria. “This win will motivate us to perform better and prepare well for our future opponents.”
Tolomia finished with 21 points, while Rommel Niño Canaleta and Bacolodnon center Reynel Hugnatan had 17 and 16 points, respectively, for Bolts, which was decimated by the absence of Ranidel de Ocampo, Clifford Hodge and Jared Dillinger./PN
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