By ADRIAN STEWART CO
MANILA – San Miguel Beermen rode on a scintillating start to wallop TNT Tropang Giga, 114-96, in Game 6 of the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup Finals last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Marcio Lassiter drilled six triples to finish with 26 points, while Simon Enciso and Jaymar Perez chipped in 20 markers apiece as the Beermen tied the best-of-seven series at 3-3.
Moala Tautuaa and Ilonggo Jericho Cruz also hit double-digits with 15 and 11 markers, respectively, while June Mar Fajardo ended with 10 points, 12 rebounds and five assists for the Beermen.
The Beermen were scorching to start the game with inside attacks from Perez and outside connections from Lassiter and Enciso to build a 40-24 advantage.
Lassiter and Enciso went on with their outside shots at the onset of the second period followed by inside shots from Tautuaa as the lead reached 56-30.
The Tropang Giga made some run late in the second quarter behind Bacolodnon Kib Montalbo, Rodolfo Alejandro Jr. and Roger Pogoy to cut the deficit to 63-50 at the half.
TNT continued to come close at the onset of the third period to cut the deficit to as low as eight behind Pogoy baskets but baskets from Fajardo and Cruz brought the lead back to 16.
The Beermen pulled away further with outside baskets from Lassiter, Enciso and Cruz as the lead reached its largest at 30 points midway in the fourth quarter.
Pogoy ended with 31 points, including three outside hits, while Frederick Tungcab and Jeth Troy Rosario contributed 12 and 10 markers, respectively, for the Tropang Giga.
The defending champions TNT played Game 6 without Jayson Castro, who twisted his ankle in Game 5, and Glenn Khobuntin, who was out for the series due to MCL injury during practice.
BOX SCORE:
SAN MIGUEL 114 — Lassiter 26, Enciso 20, Perez 20, Tautuaa 15, Cruz 11, Fajardo 10, Brondial 6, Manuel 5, Ross 3, Pessumal 2, Herndon 0, Zamar 0, Cañete 0, Faundo 0.
TNT 96 — Pogoy 31, Tungcab 12, Rosario 10, Montalbo 8, K. Williams 8, Erram 7, Alejandro 7, Marcelo 5, Cruz 3, Banal 3, M. Williams 2, Reyes 0, Ganuelas-Rosser 0.
Quarterscores: 40-26, 63-50, 92-68, 114-96./PN
