Beermen bounce back in Game 2
REIGNING champion San Miguel Beer returned with a vengeance on Sunday routing Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, 134-109, in Game 2 of the best-of-seven finals of Season 43 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
It was almost a smooth sailing for the Beermen except for the last six minutes when Arwind Santos and Chris Ross were meted flagrant foul and technical foul infractions.
But with a hefty 119-95 lead, SMB had no problem foiling Ginebra’s endgame fightback.
The Beermen have avenged their 127-99 loss to the Gin Kings in Game 1 last Friday, levelling the series at 1-1.
“I can’t blame them for their intensity, but they should be smart next time. I hope it (technical fouls) didn’t happen,” said San Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria.
Austria praised the performance of Alex Cabagnot, who tallied a career-high 33 points, including 22 points in the first half, plus nine assists and four steals.
“He can really feel it and he really wants to win,” added Austria. “If our opponent were obsessed in Game 1, Alex was also obsessed earlier.”
Despite the foul trouble, Santos contributed 14 points.
June Mar Fajardo finished with 25 points, Marcio Lassiter added 20 points, import Renaldo Balkman posted 20 points and 11 rebounds while Christian Standhardinger tallied 20 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
Import Justin Brownlee, who finished with 42 points in Game 1 was hampered by foul trouble in Game 2. He led Ginebra with 29 points plus six rebounds and five assists.
Scores:
San Miguel 134 – Cabagnot 33, Fajardo 25, Lassiter 20, Balkman 20, Standhardinger 20, Santos 14, Mamaril 2, Ross 0, Rosser 0, Lanete 0, Pessumal 0, Vigil 0.
Ginebra 109 – Brownlee 29, Devance 16, Thompson 16, Slaughter 15, Tenorio 13, Mercado 11, Chan 4, R. Aguilar 2, Manuel 2, J. Aguilar 1, Ferrer 0, Caguioa 0, Cruz 0.
Quarters: 34-23, 75-46, 99-79, 134-109.
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