By Dugout Philippines
San Miguel roared back in its best-of-seven PBA Philippine Cup finals series against after tying the race-to-four showdown with a 100-86 Game 2 win at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Two nights after blowing a 22-point lead and losing in the series opener, the Beermen this time pulled away late in the second half of the highly physical and emotional game to seal the win that forced a 1-1 deadlock entering Game 3 on Sunday.
The Aces led, 63-57, midway in the third quarter as they outscored the Beermen, 15-6, to start the period.
But the Beermen unleashed a 13-2 run later in the period as David Semerad got entangled with Dondon Hontiveros and Vic Manuel on separate occasions during the rally.
Semerad and Hontiveros got into a mini-scuffle while battling for the loose ball as the other players separated the two to prevent escalation of the heated moment. Both Semerad and Hontiveros were slapped with a double foul.
Later on, Semerad found his neck wrapped by the arm of Manuel, forcing the referees to call a flagrant foul penalty one on the latter. Semerad made the two free throws, further extending the San Miguel run.
Alaska came to within two, 70-72, at the end of the third quarter.
But San Miguel opened the fourth with a 23-7 run to blow the game wide open and never looked back.
Arwind Santos led the Beermen with 22 points, while Chris Lutz added 20. In one of his best games in his maiden PBA journey, Semerad tallied ten markers and four rebounds off the bench.
Sonny Thoss top-scored for the Aces with 16 points.
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
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