Sports
San Miguel Beer bounces back in Game 2 of PBA finals
Arwind Santos, San Miguel Beermen (www.pbarecap.org)
MANILA – San Miguel Beer found antidote to suffocating defense of Alaska in Game Two, escaping a 100-86 win on Friday night in the race-to-four PBA Philippine Cup finals at the Araneta Coliseum.
Arwind Santos and Chris Lutz combined for 42 points while Junemar Fajardo added 15 points and 12 rebounds for the Beermen who avenged their 82-88 overtime loss in Game 1.
From a slim 72-70 edge at the end of the third quarter, the Beermen unleashed a decisive 23-7 run to post a 95-77 lead midway in the fourth quarter.
”We were encouraged by their defense last time. In spite of their high intensity defense we were able to break it,” SMB coach Leo Austria said in post game interview.
Austria’s counterpart Alex Compton admitted the Beermen did their homework and lived up as the Goliath of the best-of-seven championships series.
”We stole Game 1 but that doesn’t change the fact that we’re still facing Goliath,” the Aces mentor said.
Sonny Thoss had 16 points to pace Alaska which was outrebounded, 52-30.
The scores:
SAN MIGUEL BEER 100 – Santos 22, Lutz 20, Fajardo 15, Ross 12, Semerad 10, Lassiter 8, Cabagnot 7, Omolon 2, Pascual 2, Tubid 2, Kramer 0, Fortuna 0, Chua 0, Maierhofer 0.
ALASKA 86 – Thoss 16, Casio 14, Baguio 13, Abueva 11, Hontiveros 8, Banchero 7, Jazul 5, Menk 4, Dela Cruz 4, Eman 2, Manuel 2, Exciminiano 0, Dela Rosa 0, Espinas 0.
Quarterscores: 32-28, 51-48, 72-70, 100-86
