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| Another game, another 20-20 for the Kraken, as Beer overcame Milk once again. |
QUEZON CITY- San Miguel got the needed breaks in crunch time to brush off a defiant Alaska squad, 93-88, on Saturday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum to notch its second victory of the 2017 PBA Philippine Cup.
Looking at the Aces' players' active list to start the game, many thought that the match-up against the Beermen would just be too much for them to handle.
The Aces played through sans stars Calvin Abueva and Sonny Thoss, who were both sidelined due to injuries. Vic Manuel and Ping Exciminiano missed the game as well after being slapped with a suspension following a contract violation.
Despite being shorthanded, Alaska was able to put up a gallant stand against the defending champs, establishing a lead as huge as 15, and even had the upperhand in final two minutes, 88-86, before yielding at end game.
JuneMar Fajrdo stuffed the stats sheet anew with a dominating 23-22 effort. Arwind Santos and RR Garcia maneuvered SMB's finishing efforts to seal game. They chipped in 16 and 13, respectively.
JVee Casio led the Aces' scoring with 20 while veteran Tony Dela Cruz contributed 15 as Alaska suffered its second defeat in its first two assignments of the season.
The Beemen, on the other hand, climbed up at third place to tie TNT and Blackwater with a 2-1 slate.
The scores:
SAN MIGUEL 93 – Fajardo 23, Santos 16, Lassiter 14, Garcia 13, Espinas 12, Agovida 8, Tubid 2, McCarthy 2, Ross 2, Van Opstal 0
ALASKA 88 – Casio 20, Dela Cruz 15, Mendoza 12, Cruz 11, Banchero 7, Galliguez 5, Jazul 5, Racal 5, Magat 5, Hontiveros 3
Quarters: 16-22, 44-53, 70-72, 93-88
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