MANILA – San Miguel Beermen flaunted its experience in the endgame to score a 111-105 victory over Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in Game 1 of the 2019 Honda PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Holding to a slim 106-105 edge with over two minutes left, Chris McCullough scored on a three-point play and an inside basket as the Beermen established a six-point edge while tightening its defense on the Painters.
The former NBA player finished with 32 points, 13 rebounds and five assists, while Christian Standhardinger came off the bench with 20 points and eight boards.
With the win, the Beermen took a 1-0 edge in the best-of-five series.
Chris Ross hoisted five triples to finish with 19 points, while Alex Cabagnot and Terrence Romeo had 12 and 10 markers, respectively, to fill up to the absence of injured Marcio Lassiter.
The Painters went on a strong start and led by as much as 13 points but the Beermen managed to take a 33-31 edge on Standhardinger’s hit.
The ROS connected on outside hits for a 57-46 edge early in the third. The Beermen, however, got its act together behind Standhardinger and McCullough to cut into the Painters’ edge before surging to a 90-83 advantage in the fourth after a triple by Ross.
Carl Montgometry had double-double 20 points and 17 rebounds, Gabe Norwood and Norbert Torres added 16 and 13 markers, respectively, while Javee Mocon and Rey Nambatac had 12 each for the Painters./PN
