PBA: SMB survives late Magnolia scare to continue streak

Don Trollano took charge for San Miguel. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--San Miguel survived a late scare from Magnolia for a 94-92 win in their PBA Philippine Cup meeting on Friday night at the Ynares Center 2 in Rodriguez, Rizal.

The Beermen were on the verge of preserving the win despite blowing an 18-point lead when they went on a 14-2 run highlighted by a clutch four from Don Trollano to go up, 94-88, with 22.9 seconds remaining.

However, Chris Koon hit a four of his own that cut the lead down to two with 6.6 seconds remaining.

CJ Perez, who was quickly fouled after Koon's four-pointer, missed two free throws on the other end, and Paul Lee grabbed the rebound.

However, Marcio Lassiter's tight defense forced Lee to milk some clock before passing the ball to Jerom Lastimosa, who had to hurry a four-pointer to beat the buzzer only for the ball to only the backboard.

Trollano finished with 29 points on 11-of-16 shooting, including 4-of-8 from long range, and six rebounds for SMB, which tied its victim at 4-2.

Perez, despite shooting 7-of-22 from the field and 4-of-10 from the foul line, added 20 points, four rebounds, one assist and five steals.

Zav Lucero put up 20 points, 14 rebounds, two assists, and four blocks for Magnolia, which turned the ball over 22 times.