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| PBA |
By Ivan Saldajeno
QUEZON CITY--In a bizarre Friday night that saw Rain Or Shine coach Yeng Guiao getting late for Game 6 of the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals and San Miguel star Junemar Fajardo injuring his knee, it was the latter's team that walked away with the eventual series clincher.
The Beermen bucked the late absence of Fajardo and eliminated the Elasto Painters, 90-82, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum for the 4-2 semis victory.
ROS, having to play without Guiao, who got stuck in the Friday night traffic, actually had a good second quarter start with associate Caloy Garcia doing the interim job, and Guiao came just in time to see his team go up, 41-26.
But SMB came out blazing since Fajardo left the game with 7:11 remaining in the third quarter after hurting his left knee in a rebounding scramble with Jireh Ibañes and turned the 15-point deficit to a 15-point fourth quarter lead, 82-67, with 7:35 left in the match.
ROS had one more crack at forcing a deciding Game 7 on Sunday night after going on a 15-4 run to come to within four, 82-86, with 31.9 seconds remaining.
But Chris Ross took advantage of a Maverick Ahanmisi foul by draining two free throws, while Marcio Lassiter sealed the victory with an easy lay-in off a Chris Ross steal.
Lassiter led the Beermen, who will once again take on the Alaska Aces in the championship round beginning Sunday, with 22 points, five rebounds, one steal, and three blocks, while Arwind Santos took care of business with Fajardo out by tallying 15 points, 19 rebounds, two assists, and two blocks.
Beau Belga scored 16 markers, grabbed 11 boards, one assist, one block, and one steal for the Elasto Painters.
Box Scores:
San Miguel 90-Lassiter 22, Santos 15, Fajardo 14, Espinas 9, Ross 8, Cabagnot 6, Tubid 6, Arana 4, De Ocampo 4, Lutz 2
Rain Or Shine 82-Belga 16, Norwood 14,Ponferada 14, Chan 11, Ibanes 10, Cruz 6, Ahanmisi 5, Quinahan 4, Trollano 2, Tiu 0
Quarterscores: 19-16, 37-46, 70-63, 90-82
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
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