Ramos explodes from long range as Mahindra blasts SMB

PBA

By Ivan Saldajeno

BIÑAN--Aldrech Ramos sizzled from beyond the arc to help Mahindra stun San Miguel, 102-96, in their PBA Commissioner's Cup clash at the Alonte Sports Arena on Saturday.

Ramos buried six of seven triples en route to a 26-point game along with eight rebounds, one assist, and one steal for the Enforcers, who have won their third straight showdown against the Beermen in an import-spiced conference.

Fresh from a historic comeback to win the Philippine Cup title, San Miguel still kept the game interesting.

The Beermen did not appear like a team that did not play for two-and-a-half weeks as they kept in step with the Enforcers for most parts of the first half.

Mahindra opened a nine-point cushion midway through the second quarter, but San Miguel managed to slowly but surely eclipse the gap and took the lead, 57-55, in the third period.

The Enforcers restored order and opened a ten-point advantage, 74-64, late in the third, but the Beermen again fought back and retook the edge, 86-84, with 4:46 left in the game.

Three straight treys from KG Canaleta gave Mahindra the lead for good, and the team responded to every San Miguel mini-rally in the dying moments.

LA Revilla added 19 points, six rebounds, and four assists, while Augustus Gilchrist contributed 15 points, 13 rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and one steal for the Enforcers.

Tyler Wilkerson had an impressive debut for the Beermen as he tallied 29 markers, 12 rebounds, two assists, two swats, and one takeaway, although he committed five turnovers.

Mahindra 102-Ramos 26, Revilla 19, Canaleta 15, Gilchrist 15, Dehesa 10, Guinto 9, Digregorio 4, Pinto 2, Yee 2, Webb 0, Jaime 0

San Miguel 96-Wilkerson 29, Santos 17, Lassiter 14, Arana 8, Fajardo 8, Ross 8, Heruela 5, Tubid 4, Espinas 3, Lutz 0, Reyes 0

Quarterscores: 24-23, 51-45, 74-69, 102-96

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