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| CJ Perez exploded for 33 points in CDO. PBA Images |
MANILA––San Miguel overcame a furious attempt from Rain Or Shine to steal the victory in the fourth quarter and walked out of the Aquilino Pimentel International Convention Center in Cagayan De Oro a 120-111 winner in a crucial PBA Philippine Cup battle on Saturday night.
In a heated showdown with huge implications in the race for a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals, the Beermen led by as much as 25 points with over four minutes left in the third quarter.
However, the Elasto Painters cut the lead down to 15, 93-78, at the end of the third, and just as Adrian Nocum came alive in the fourth, they would cut the lead down to just one, 103-102, with 5:06 left.
ROS lost steam in the end, and SMB virtually sealed the outcome with a 12-3 run within the next four minutes, capped by a dagger four-pointer from CJ Perez.
Perez finished with 33 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, and three steals to lead the Beermen, who moved up to 7-2 in the standings.
Don Trollano added 24 points on 8-of-13 shooting, including 4-of-5 from three-point range, four rebounds, one assist, and three steals.
June Mar Fajardo contributed 20 points on 8-of-12 field goals, nine rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
They can clinch the quarterfinal bonus if they win one more game, either against the Converge FiberXers on Wednesday night or against the NorthPort Batang Pier on June 15.
Andrei Caracut put up 24 points on 8-of-15 shooting, including 5-of-7 on threes, one rebound, seven assists, and one steal to lead the Elasto Painters, who dropped to 6-4.
Nocum added 22 points, 18 coming in the final frame, on 7-of-13 shooting and 3-for-5 on triples, three rebounds, three assists, and two blocks.
They might need to hope for favorable outcomes in the upcoming games, which include beating Barangay Ginebra on June 15, if they want to still lock in a Top 4 spot.
The Scores:
San Miguel 120 – Perez 33, Trollano 24, Fajardo 20, Lassiter 16, Tiongson 8, Cruz 6, Ross 4, Brondial 4, Cahilig 3, Tautuaa 2
Rain or Shine 111 – Caracut 24, Nocum 22, Clarito 17, Datu 12, Santillan 10, Mamuyac 9, Tiongson 7, Porter 5, Asistio 5, Norwood 0
QUARTERS: 30-25, 60-43, 93-78, 120-111
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