Login
To share your thoughts
Don't have an account?
Check your inbox
We just sent a link to your inbox. Click the link to continue signing in. Can’t find it? Check your spam & junk mail.
Didn't get a link?
Sign up
Ready to get started
Already have an account?
Check your inbox
We just sent a link to your inbox. Click the link to continue registering. Can’t find it? Check your spam & junk mail.
Didn't get a link?
Join Rappler+
How often would you like to pay?
Monthly Subscription
Your payment was interrupted
Exiting the registration flow at this point will mean you will loose your progress
Your payment didn’t go through
Exiting the registration flow at this point will mean you will loose your progress
MANILA, Philippines – The San Miguel Beermen caught fire in the fourth period, knocking down outside shots to counter rallies from the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and come away with a 103-94 win in Game 5 of the 2016 PBA Philippine Cup on Wednesday, January 13 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The defending champions move a win away from back-to-back Philippine Cup Finals appearances with a 3-2 series lead. But that does not mean they are out of the woods just yet.
"With this win I think we achieved nothing yet because this is a series. We need to win another one," remarked head coach Leo Austria. "I think the players are starting to pick up especially my starters, they realized the imporant (thing here) is a mental game."
San Miguel did not rely solely on reigning back-to-back MVP June Mar Fajardo for offense as he registered his lowest output of the series with 27 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists and a block in over 40 minutes on the floor.
Alex Cabagnot contributed 14 points and 6 assists while Marcio Lassiter and Arwind Santos had 12 apiece in back-to-back games where San Miguel's scoring was evenly distributed.
Gabby Espinas, Chris Ross and Ronald Tubid all had 9 points each while Ryan Araña, a former Elasto Painter, had 8 markers.
The Beermen pulled away in the final quarter, building double-digit leads thanks to triples from Santos and Tubid, as well as timely and-one plays from Cabagnot and Araña.
San Miguel, who outscored their foes 31-26 in the final frame, led by 15 points inside the last 3 minutes, and notched its biggest lead at 94-78 on an Araña 3-point play with 6:23 remaining in the game.
Unlike Game 4, the Painters had the upper-hand in rebounding at 42-39, as well as in free throws making 26 of their 32 attempts. The Beermen on the other hand went 14-of-21 from the line.
JR Quiñahan remains consistent this series with 20 points and 6 rebounds. Veteran Jeff Chan finally seemed like he got on track with 15 points on 3 triples, while Jericho Cruz and Jewel Ponferada had 13 markers each.
Guard Cruz saw action after hyperextending his knee in Game 3 and sitting out Game 4.
The winner of this series will faces the Alaska Aces, who finished their series with the Globalport Batang Pier in 5 games.
Game 6 of this series is on Friday, January 15. (SCHEDULE: 2016 PBA Philippine Cup semifinals)
#PBA: Coach Leo Austria interview as San Miguel beats Rain or Shine for 3-2 semifinals lead Posted by Jane Yvette Bracher on Wednesday, 13 January 2016
Scores:
San Miguel (103): Fajardo 27, Cabagnot 14, Lassiter 12, Santos 12, Espinas 9, Ross 9, Tubid 9, Arana 8, Lutz 3, Reyes 0.
Rain or Shine (94): Quinahan 20, Chan 15, Cruz 13, Ponferada 13, Belga 9, Norwood 8, Lee 7, Ahanmisi 5, Tiu 4, Teng 0, Trollano 0.
Quarter scores: 17-13, 50-45, 72-68, 103-94.
– Rappler.com