San Miguel recovers from slow start to nip Globalport

MANILA, Philippines – The San Miguel Beermen preyed on a vulnerable Globalport Batang Pier and pulled off a come-from-behind 102-99 victory on Tuesday, June 3 at the Mall of Asia Arena to gain a 4-2 win-loss record in the 2014 PLDT Home Telpad Governors’ Cup. 

The Beermen recovered from a sluggish start and overthrew a 17-point lead late in the second with a huge 37-point third quarter to deal the Batang Pier another heartbreaking loss.  

It was very similar to the feat the San Mig Super Coffee Mixers did against Globalport as well just last week, when the 3-time champions clawed out of a 20-point hole to steal the win.  

“I didn’t necessarily expect to play catch-up but I did expect for it to be a close game,” said San Miguel Active Consultant Todd Purves. 

“We came out ready to finish (in the second half). I wish we wouldn’t have waited 24 minutes to start playing.” 

San Miguel eked out the victory playing practically on one foot as a team with vital cogs Chris Ross and Marcio Lassiter still out due to injuries. 

According to Purves, Ross is still in the process of rehabilitating his calf, while Lassiter is still recovering from a deep cut he sustained from crashing on the bleachers a couple of games back.  

In their absence, June Mar Fajardo and import Reggie Williams poured in huge numbers, combining for 49 points in this win.  

Fajardo topscored for the Beermen with a double-double 26 points to go with a career high 27 points, per PBA Head Statistician Fidel Mangonon III.  

Williams had a near triple-double of 23 markers, 9 boards and 9 assists. 

Arwind Santos was the main catalyst of that searing third quarter run, dropping 14 of his 18 poinds in that canto as San Miguel worked to overcome a 59-44 halftime deficit.  

Santos also grabbed 11 rebounds.  

“It was a matter of effort and how hard they wanted to play defense and I left it up to them to be honest,” Purves explained the team’s mindset at halftime, “If they were going to play the defense necessary to come back.” 

The Beermen pounded on the doors of Globalport by the end of the third, down by only 82-81. They finally tied the contest at 87 with 7:17 left to play after a Chris Lutz crossover move against Jay Washington, who paced the Batang Pier with 14 points and 10 rebounds.  

A Sol Mercado drive in the line gave the Beermen their first lead in the second half, 93-91, with 4:31 left.  

They then scored 5 straight points on a Fajardo basket and Williams triple, killing the confidence of Globalport. 

Globalport had a chance to send the game into overtime after two missed freebies by Santos, which came after Alex Cabagnot scored two points with 10.2 ticks left to make it a one-possession game, 102-99. 

Terrence Romeo brought the ball down in the final possession but was hounded by at least 3 Beermen, leaving him to pass the ball to import Dior Lowhorn inside the paint as clock wound down.  

The Batang Pier continue to struggle since the Commissioner’s Cup and are now sitting at the bottom of the standings with a 1-4 record. 

Lowhorn exploded for 38 points and 10 rebounds, while Cabagnot and Romeo added 13 and 11 points, respectively.  

Scores

San Miguel Beer 102 – Fajardo 26, Williams 23, Santos 18, Mercado 10, Kramer 7, Tubid 6, Lanete 6, Lutz 6, Maierhofer 0, Duncil 0, Chua 0. 

Globalport 99 – Lowhorn 38, Washington 14, Cabagnot 13, Romeo 11, Menk 6, Lingganay 5, Yee 4, Matias 2, Ponferada 2, Hayes 2, Salvador 2, Garcia 0. 

Quarter scores: 24-27, 44-59, 81-82, 102-99. 

– Rappler.com