Santos’ 27 points lead San Miguel Beer past Barako Bull

MANILA, Philippines – Arwind Santos tallied 27 points and 7 rebounds to lift the San Miguel Beermen over the still winless Barako Bull Energy, 103-89, on Sunday, November 2 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and gain a share of the top spot with Alaska, which holds a similar 3-0 slate in the 2015 PBA Philippine Cup.

The 2013 PBA Most Valuable Player shot 5-of-6 from beyond the arc and established his momentum early on with 12 points in the first period before dropping another 8 in the final frame to turn back the pesky Barako Bull. 

“I think Arwind wants to win. He’s our leader,” San Miguel head coach Leo Austria said of his team captain. “I’m happy to see him (play well). He seems very inspired.”

Reigning PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo showcased his chops once more with a double-double outing of 18 points and 11 rebounds. 

Fajardo held his own without his usual back-up Doug Kramer and Rico Maierhofer, who were sidelined due to injuries. 

According to Austria, the 6-foot-5 Kramer suffered an ankle sprain 5 minutes before practice ended on Saturday, November 1. While the 28-year old Maierhofer is nursing some swelling in his knee caused by a contusion he had in the game versus Purefoods.  

“Nasira ang rotation ko (I had to alter my rotation),” Austria said. “Usually we are able to sustain the output from the first quarter because we have those two big men, now my rotation suffered.” 

Despite its now 0-3 record, Barako Bull didn’t simply roll over and die against the Beermen. 

The Energy came out to fight and stayed with San Miguel all throughout. They trailed by as much as 12, 68-56, late in the third and capitalized on a relaxed Beermen side for a 12-2 spurt, highlighted by a Denok Miranda triple at the buzzer to slice the deficit to just 68-70 entering the payoff period. 

Barako even led several times during the fourth quarter with the last one at 80-82 on a JC Intal basket with 7 minutes to go. 

But an efficient Marcio Lassiter buried a go-ahead three-pointer, 83-82, 30 seconds later to put San Miguel ahead for good. Lassiter contributed 20 points on 3-of-6 three-pointers.  

Despite San Miguel’s steady play, the Energy were relentless and pounded some more on the Beermen’s door until Santos stepped up with a dagger three-pointer at the top of the key with over a minute left, 94-87, to shut the door on Barako.  

“I was surpised because the energy level was too low,” Austria admitted what he saw lacking in his team, which also had a 12-point contribution from Sol Mercado. 

Miranda led the Energy with his 17 points on 7-of-11 field goals while Carlo Lastimosa and Intal added 12 points apiece. Sophomore guard Lastimosa carried Barako with 9 markers in the fourth, including a bucket which tied the count at 71 to start that quarter. 

Jeric Fortuna and Chico Lanete had 11 and 10 points, respectively. 

San Miguel is on a collision course with fellow leaders Alaska on Wednesday, November 5. 

Austria is looking forward to having his frontline battle-ready against the Aces’ defensive wall.  

But he also admitted that his primary concern is Alaska’s perennial energizer Calvin Abueva, who previously hit the game-winner against Talk ‘N Text and was instrumental to the Aces’ lopsided 41-point victory over Meralco. 

“Our main concern is Abueva because he is the spark for Alaska.” 

Scores 

San Miguel Beermen (103): Santos 27, Lassiter 20, Fajardo 18, Mercado 12, Lutz 8, Omolon 8, Tubid 3, Semerad 2, Ross 2, Hubalde 2, Chua 1, Pascual 0.

Barako Bull Energy Cola (89): Miranda 17, Lastimosa 12, Intal 12, Fortuna 11, Lanete 10, Garcia 8, Pennisi 6, Paredes 4, Wilson 4, Salvador 2, Marcelo 2, Pascual 1, Salva 0.

Quarter scores: 26-24, 43-45, 70-68, 103-89 

Here are some photos of the game taken by Nuki Sabio/PBA Images

– Rappler.com