Beermen cruise past Aces to return to Commissioner’s Cup Finals
REIGNING champion San Miguel Beer escaped a determined Alaska, 104-99, in the deciding Game 4 of their best-of-five semifinals showdown in Season 43 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.
It was a close battle from start to finish but the Beermen pulled away late in the game through Alex Cabagnot’s clutch baskets that sent San Miguel Beer to its 40th overall championship round appearance and a back-to-back in the Commissioner’s Cup.
“I would like to thank God for helping us to close out this series. It’s an embarrassment when we lost to the Aces last time but the players were awakened through that loss. Tonight, I can see in their eyes that they are willing to close this out,” said San Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria.
The Beermen failed to sweep the Aces last Friday in Antipolo, losing 104-125 in Game 3.
Four-time Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo tallied 17 of his 26 points in the second half in addition to 12 rebounds and two blocks. Renaldo Balkman finished with 23 points, 16 rebounds, five assists and two blocks to lead the Beermen.
Cabagnot, who sizzled with 18 points and nine assists, scored a three-pointer giving the Beermen a slim 100-92 lead with only 34 seconds to go.
The Aces narrowed the gap to 96-100 after Vic Manuel’s two baskets but the two free throws each of Marcio Lassiter and Cabagnot within the last 10 seconds ended the series in favor of the Beermen.
Chris Ross contributed 17 points also for San Miguel Beer.
Import Diamon Simpson posted 24 points and 21 rebounds while Manuel had 20 points to lead the Aces.
Scores:
San Miguel 104 – Fajardo 26, Balkman 23, Cabagnot 18, Ross 17, Lassiter 8, Nabong 6, Santos 4, Standhardinger 2, Heruela 0.
Alaska 99 – Simpson 24, Manuel 20, Enciso 19, Casio 15, Teng 6, Racal 4, Exciminiano 4, Magat 3, Thoss 2, Baclao 2, Cruz 0, Galliguez 0.
Quarters: 20-23, 43-44, 76-69, 104-99.
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