Jul 21, 2019

Beermen force rubber versus Batang Pier


From a precarious spot to steady, equal footing.

The San Miguel Beermen have got that progression, and odds are now heavily back on their side, having forced a do-or-die setto with the second seeded NorthPort Batang Pier in their PBA Commissioner's Cup quarterfinals matchup.

The Beermen asserted their might and foiled the Batang Pier's first crack at the semifinals with a 98-84 victory Sunday night at the Big Dome.

The two teams clash in a you-or-me duel Wednesday in the same venue.

Actually, the Beermen nearly blew away a huge 17-point spread but weathered a NorthPort siege in the fourth quarter, pouncing on the ouster of import Prince Ibeh on fouls.
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Chris Ross, Chris McCullough, Arwind Santos and June Mar Fajardo restored a big lead for the Beermen.

"We've been to difficult situations before," said Ross on their recovery from a slip in the fourth quarter.

"We right the ship, and it's a testament to the team, on what we can do," Ross also said.

Twice, the Batang Pier had a chance to take the upperhand at the height of their rally midway through the fourth, but Robert Bolick and Nico Elorde threw it away on crucial errors.

A little later, McCullough and Santos fired in back-to-back three-pointers as San Miguel regained control at 90-81 with time down to 4:47.
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The Batang Pier fell apart for good as Ibeh picked up his sixth and final foul on Ross with San Miguel leading by nine with 3:42 left.

"It was a knockout game for us and I'm so glad the players stepped up, everybody showed the desire to get this win and another chance (to advance)," said SMB mentor Leo Austria after avoiding early elimination in the playoffs.

McCullough collected 24 points and 11 rebounds, Fajardo had his double-double with 19 boards and 11 markers while Ross and Santos and Fajardo chipped in 15, and 11 points, respectively.

Bolick starred in the NorthPort chase and he finished with 20 points, six assists and two steals against five turnovers. (SB)

The scores:

SAN MIGUEL 98 - McCullough 24, Ross 18, Santos 15, Fajardo 11, Lassiter 8, Standhardinger 7, Romeo 6, Cabagnot 5, Ganuelas-Rosser 4, Pessumal 0, Vigil 0.

NORTHPORT 84 - Bolick 20, Ibeh 12, Tautuaa 12, Taha 11, Mercado 7, Anthony 6, Ferrer 6, Lanete 4, Elorde 2, Cruz 2, Flores 2, Gabayni 0.

Quarters: 28-18, 47-42, 73-65, 98-84.