By Josh Castro
PASAY--Just when San Miguel was on its way to finally go on a winning streak, NLEX pulled a fourth quarter storm to steal the victory.
The Road Warriors banked on a 42-point fourth quarter as they completed a comeback from 21 points down to depose the Beermen, 100-93, in their PBA Commissioner's Cup clash at the Cuneta Astrodome on Tuesday night.
San Miguel looked poised to post back-to-back wins after a poor start as it built a 64-43 cushion in the third quarter.
But NLEX pulled a rally spanning the third and the fourth periods to cut the lead to nine, 82-73.
Doug Kramer's free throw and Arwind Santos' putback put the Beermen back up by 12, 85-73.
The Road Warriors scored the game's next 13 points to take the lead, 86-85.
Chris Lutz drained a triple to give San Miguel its last taste of the lead, 88-86.
Jonas Villanueva and Al Thornton, however, closed the match on a 14-5 NLEX run to steal the win.
Thornton had 30 points, while Villanueva added 15 for the Road Warriors, who outscored the Beermen, 42-18, in the payoff period.
AZ Reid once again led the Beermen with 27 points.
NLEX 100--Thornton 30, Taulava 20, J. Villanueva 15, Cardona 9, Borboran 8, Canaleta 6, Lingganay 6, E. Villanueva 2, Ramos 2, Apinan 2, Raymundo 0, H. Arboleda 0.
San Miguel Beer 93--Reid 27, Santos 20, Kramer 15, Lutz 10, Fajardo 10, Cabagnot 6, Ross 2, Lassiter 2, Tubid 1.
Quarters: 14-26; 33-46; 58-75; 100-93
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