SMB trounces Magnolia, ties PBA finals series 1-1

San Miguel Beermen’s June Mar Fajardo creates separation from Magnolia Hotshots’ Rafael Reavis as he prepares for an inside hit. PBA

MANILA – San Miguel Beermen displayed their veteran smarts from start to finish to score a 108-101 victory over Magnolia Hotshots in Game 2 of the 2019 Honda PBA Philippine Cup finals last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

June Mar Fajardo posted double-double 16 points and 14 rebounds, while Alex Cabagnot added 16 markers, including three triples, for the Beermen, which leveled the series to 1-1.

Chris Ross and Marcio Lassiter were also on fire with 15 points apiece, while Arwind Santos, Terrence Romeo and Christian Standhardinger had 13 markers each for the defending champions.

Gaining momentum from their huge Game 1 win, the Hotshots surged to an 8-2 start in the opening quarter but six straight points from Cabagnot and a triple by Romeo gave the Beermen a 23-22 edge.

The Hotshots regained the lead early in the second period but back-to-back triples by Ross allowed Beermen to tie the score at 36-all before surging ahead at the half, 51-41, with hits from Von Pessumal and Santos.

Inside hits by Fajardo to open the second half put the Beermen ahead at 59-45 but the Hotshots countered with a huge run to come to within 53-59 but SMB pulled away anew at 83-63 on treys from Santos and Cabagnot.

SMB went on to build its largest lead at 93-72 on two free throws by Romeo before Magnolia went on a strong run to come to as close as 12 points but a triple by Lassiter and a basket by Standhardinger sealed the win for the Beermen.

Ian Sangalang top-scored with 16 points, Jiovani Jalalon had 15 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, while Paul Lee had 10 markers, 10 boards and six caroms for the Hotshots./PN

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