Beermen squeak past Barako in OT

MANILA, Philippines – The San Miguel Beermen weathered gaps in their lineup and escaped the pesky Barako Bull Energy in overtime, 115-112, as the 2014 PLDT Home Telpad PBA Governors’ Cup made its way to Binan, Laguna on Wednesday, May 28.

The Beermen took on a hungry Barako squad sans Marcio Lassiter, who sustained a wound on his shin in their previous game after crashing into a row of courtside seats.

Their personnel problems didn’t end there as bigman June Mar Fajardo also sprained his ankle in the third quarter. Though he returned to the game in the fourth. But team captain Chris Ross then appeared to have hurt his knee as well late in the game.

Import Reggie Williams exploded for 33 points on 13-of-20 field goals and 5-of-9 three-pointers, including two crucial ones in the extra session that helped bolster San Miguel’s rally. He also added 13 rebounds to his name.

Barako had the edge approaching the final two minutes of regulation after Ronjay Buenafe (10 points) made good on a triple to give his team a very slim 101-100 advantage.

But Williams would swish in a trey to take hold of the lead, 103-101, before Barako import Eric Wise, who equalled Williams’ performance with 33 points, knotted the count at 103 to force overtime. A missed jumper by rookie Jeric Fortuna failed to give Barako the win at the end of regulation. 

Wise scored once again early in overtime to push Barako to a 105-103 lead, which Williams promptly erased with back-to-back triples to overtake the Energy, 109-105 with 2:34 remaining.

As the clock wound down to a minute, Barako came as close as 112-111 on a Buenafe trey but Fajardo (26 points) countered with a completed and-one play, 115-111.

Several empty possessions followed for both squads as Fortuna missed a long range attempt.

The Beermen rose to 3-1 as Barako sank to 1-3 just above a still winless Meralco.

Scores:

SAN MIGUEL BEER 115 – Williams 33, Fajardo 26, Ross 10, Santos 10, Mercado 9, Lutz 8, Tubid 7, Maierhofer 4, Chua 4, Kramer 2, Lanete 2.

BARAKO 112 – Wise 33, Pennisi 20, Najorda 12, Buenafe 10, Fortuna 10, Jensen 8, Marcelo 6, Lastimosa 4, Wilson 2, Isip 2, Miller 2, Intal 2.

Quarter scores: 32-26, 58-54, 80-78, 103-103, 115-112

– Rappler.com