MANILA – San Miguel Beermen barely survived a tough challenge from Rain or Shine Elasto Painters for a 101-98 win in Game 1 of the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals last night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
From a slim 82-77 lead after three quarters, the Beermen gained headway early in the fourth quarter behind Moala Tautuaa and Jaymar Perez for a 93-85 lead with over four minutes left.
The Painters then took advantage of the Beermen’s penalty situation with Gian Mamuyac and Jhonard Clarito converting free throws to cut the deficit to 95-99, but SMB’s Celedonio Trollano answered with a layup to make it 101-95.
Rain or Shine continued their uprising with Clarito converting two freebies and Andrei Caracut splitting his charities to come to within 98-101 with under a minute left.
After a missed triple by Trollano, the Painters had an opportunity to send the game into extension but Caracut misfired this triple try at the buzzer, allowing the Beermen to pull off the tight win.
June Mar Fajardo finished with 23 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists, and Trollano contributed 17 markers as the Beermen took a 1-0 edge in the best-of-seven series.
Marcio Lassiter contributed 16 points, including four outside shots, while Terrence Romeo and Perez ended with 14 and 13 points, respectively, for the defending champions.
Beermen head coach Jorge Gallent said he already anticipated a tight encounter with the Painters due their almost same style of play and their opponent’s stretch bigs.
“Rain or Shine has the same style of play as us, they also have bigs who can shoot three-pointers, so this series is really expected to be this tight,” said Gallent.
Mamuyac top-scored for the Painters with 20 points, Beau Belga added 17 points and seven rebounds, while Clarito and Leonard Santillan ended with 13 apiece./PN
BOX SCORE:
SAN MIGUEL 101 – Fajardo 23, Trollano 17, Lassiter 16, Romeo 14, Perez 13, Tautuaa 7, Brondial 6, Teng 3, Cruz 2, Ross 0, Enciso 0.
RAIN OR SHINE 98 – Mamuyac 20, Belga 17, Clarito 13, Santillan 13, Caracut 9, Demusis 6, Datu 6, Borboran 5, Ildefonso 4, Asistio 3, Norwood 2, Nocum 0, Peredes 0.
Quarterscores: 31-24, 49-44, 82-78, 101-98.
