English
San Miguel Beermen remains unbeaten as they outplayed Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots on Friday during the ongoing PBA Philippine Cup Season 47, at the Ynares Center, Antipolo City.
Big men Mo Tautuaa and June Mar Fajardo took turns to lead San Miguel Beermen as they escaped Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots, 87-81. By notching their latest victory, the Beermen climbed their way to solo leadership with a 3-0 card. Tautuaa provided the spark off the bench, finishing with a team-high 19 points, 15 of which he poured in the second half, to go along with five rebounds and two assists.
Despite losing key players Vic Manuel and Chris Ross during the game, the Beermen were able to get production from the next men available.
CJ Perez and Marcio Lassiter provided usual arms for the Beermen and Fajardo imposed his will inside. However, Mo Tautuaa provided the team a giant lift on Friday. Tautuaa came away with 19 points to lead the way for San Miguel, which scored 56 points inside the paint, 22 more than Magnolia.
Fajardo, meanwhile, was also effective in their second half barrage, completing a 14-point output while also chipping in six boards, two dimes, and two blocks. Perez had a double-double performance of 15 points and 12 boards, while Fajardo added 14 markers.
Also producing in double figures in scoring were Lassiter and Rodney Brondial, who had 10 apiece.
Trailing at the break, 35-42, SMB turned to Tautuaa who ignited their third quarter attack after the 6-foot-8 slotman steered a 12-5 run to tie things up at 47. They got their first lead of the game, 50-47, off a Tautaa basket before ending the third frame down by just three, 60-63.
Ross hurt his right knee in the first half while Manuel left the game after only playing less than five minutes. Manuel’s injury was not disclosed at post time.
“Sometimes, it happens,” said San Miguel coach Leo Austria. “We didn’t have Ross and Manuel, but we were able to survive a very cohesive Magnolia team.”
The Hotshots also battled injuries as Paul Lee (back) sat out for a second time this conference, but managed to keep in step with the Beermen and even led 63-60 after the third quarter behind Barroca.
Barroca impressed with 25 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, and four steals in the 30 minutes of game.
The absence of Lee and a quiet outing from Calvin Abueva, though, took their toll on Magnolia, as it was outscored 18-27 in the fourth quarter on its way to its third loss in four games.
Sangalang backstopped Barroca with 16 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks, while Adrian Wong netted 11 points.
Come payoff period, Fajardo came alive, drilling nine points as part of a 19-9 run to regain the lead, 79-72, with 3:38 left in the match. A split at the line by Fajardo made it an 85-81 affair for SMB before a CJ Perez dunk sealed the deal, 87-81.
THE SCORES
• San Miguel 87 – Tautuaa 19, Perez 15, Fajardo 14, Brondial 10, Lassiter 10, Cruz 10, Ross 6, Enciso 2, Manuel 1, Pessumal 0.
• Magnolia 81 – Barroca 25, Sangalang 16, Wong 11, Dionisio 8, Dela Rosa 5, Abueva 4, Jalalon 5, Corpuz 3, Laput 2, Ahanmisi 2, Brill 0, Zaldivar 0, Escoto 0.
Quarters: 22-25, 35-42, 60-63, 87-81.
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