Talk about resilience from the reigning All-Filipino champions.

San Miguel overcame a double-digit deficit with a furious fourth-quarter surge to stun Meralco, 89-82, in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Angeles University Foundation in Pampanga on Wednesday, October 28.

Mo Tautuaa netted 23 points and 5 rebounds, knocking down timely buckets in the final period as the Beermen erased a 13-point Bolts lead to hike their record to 4-2.

This is the third straight win for San Miguel after starting its campaign in the PBA bubble with back-to-back losses and the departure of star guard Terrence Romeo due to a shoulder injury.

Also without reigning six-time MVP June Mar Fajardo, the Beermen looked like they lacked firepower against the streaking Bolts as they trailed 54-67 with a minute left in the third quarter.

But San Miguel displayed its championship mettle, dropping a 21-4 bomb to open the last frame – with 10 points coming from Tautuaa – for an 83-71 cushion and it never lost the lead again.

Arwind Santos backstopped Tautuaa with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 steals, Alex Cabagnot had 13 points and 4 rebounds, while Marcio Lassiter chimed in 12 points and 3 steals.

Chris Ross delivered 12 points, 5 steals, and 4 assists in the win, including the dagger triple that secured the triumph for the Beermen.

Meralco narrowed the gap to 82-86 with more than two minutes remaining but failed to score in the ensuing plays as Ross drilled in a three-pointer with 19.9 ticks left.

Baser Amer put up 17 points for the Bolts, who had won their last two games before dropping to an even 3-3.

Reynel Hugnatan had 15 points and 4 rebounds, while Chris Newsome churned out 14 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists in the loss.

The Scores

San Miguel 89 – Tautuaa 23, Santos 17, Lassiter 12, Ross 12, Cabagnot 13, Gamalinda 4, Pessumal 4,, Zamar 2, Escoto 2, Mamaril 0.

Meralco 82 – Amer 17, Hugnatan 15, Newsome 14, Hodge 7, Quinto 6, Almazan 5, Maliksi 5, Jamito 4, Pinto 2, Faundo 0, Black 7, Jackson 0.

Quarters: 19-20, 40-40, 60-69, 89-82.

– Rappler.com