SAN Miguel Beer has tons of experience in high-stakes playoffs situations. And this the Beermen put on full display as they made it two in a row against Converge, 107-100, to get on the doorstep of the PBA Season 49 Governors' Cup semifinals Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Import EJ Anosike, now more familiar with SMB's talented local crew after his debut in their 102-95 Game 1 victory, punched in 41 points, nine rebounds and five assists to lead the Beermen to a commanding 2-0 advantage in the best-of-five quarterfinal series.
SMB can finish the FiberXers off in Monday's Game 3 and sweep its path to the best-of-seven Last-4.
Leading Best Player of the Conference contender June Mar Fajardo gave his usual 15-16 double-double performance to banner the local contributors even as Kris Rosales, getting his start in the Game 2, rifled in 11 to somehow ease the load on CJ Perez (10) and Marcio Lassiter (9, all on three-pointers).
Terrence Romeo and Don Trollano fired eight and seven, respectively, off the bench. They served as spark plugs in a 15-5 bombardment that gave SMB a 97-86 upperhand half way through the fourth while Fajardo and Perez were resting on the bench.
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"I think it was a good effort by the team. When everyone plays well, the energy is contagious," said Anosike, who spearheaded a closing 10-4 barrage that extinguished the threat after Converge pulled to within 97-96 with still 3:03 to go.
"For me, it's my second game here. I'm happy to be with this great group of guys and go out and compete and I look forward to getting better after every game," added Anosike, who is a nephew of former Magnolia import Julius Nwosu.
Jalen Jones produced 38-12 for the FiberXers, who were hurt by the exit of big man Justin Arana (12-7) on hyper-extended left knee at the 10:43 of the fourth. (OL)
The scores:
San Miguel 107 - Anosike 41, Fajardo 15, Rosales 11, Perez 10, Lassiter 9, Romeo 8, Trollano 7, Cruz 6, Enciso 0, Brondial 0, Teng 0, Ross 0, Manuel 0.
Converge 100 - Jones 36, Stockton 14, Arana 12, Santos 12, Winston 8, Andrade 8, Ambohot 4, Delos Santos 4, Cabagnot 2, Melecio 0, Caralipio.
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Quarterscores: 23-25, 48-51, 78-72, 107-100
