THE San Miguel Beermen face a molehill of a challenge compared to the adversity they defied in their epic "Beer-acle" run in 2016.
They overcame a 0-3 deficit then.
And the Beermen are now halfway through to accomplishing a twice-to-win task, this time.
With a tremendous resolve and a big fight, the Beermen foiled the TNT Tropang Giga's first shot at title-clincher and forged a Game 7 decider for the PBA Philippine Cup crown with a 114-96 rout at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Friday.
On a cold, rainy evening, the Beermen came out smoking and blew away a TNT side sitting out injured ace playmaker Jayson Castro along with wingman Glenn Khobuntin.
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Marcio Lassiter and CJ Perez combined for 6-of-6 three-pointers to highlight SMB's explosive 40-point opening quarter then Simon Enciso took over with five three-point bombs in a fiery 6-of-7 overall clip to sustain their run in the second period.
And there's no letup in the SMB juggernaut as the Beermen romped to a series-tying triumph.
For the record, the Beermen won three Game 7s in their five-peat run, including the one in 2016 where June Mar Fajardo and Co. fought back from a 0-3 hole.
They set out for another Grand Game 7 at 6 p.m. Sunday also at the Big Dome.
A massive San Miguel outing marked by double-digit outputs from three starters and three second-string stars ripped TNT to pieces even with a 31-point game from RR Pogoy.
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Lassiter finished with six treys and a total of 22 markers while Perez and Enciso fired 20 apiece for the Beermen who also drew at least 10 points each from Moala Tautuaa (15), Jericho Cruz (11) and Fajardo (10 markers with 12 rebounds).
Lassiter and Perez scoring almost at will at the start set the tone of the match where the Beermen led by as many as 30 near the closeout.
The Tropang Giga were determined to close it out but never stood a chance as they struggled with their health woes.
Their biggest hope for Game 7 would be the readiness of Castro to plunge back into action.
Castro has been relegated to the sideline since twisting his right foot badly early in the third in Game 5 Wednesday. TNT is also dealing with injuries to Poy Erram and Ryan Reyes.
The Tropang Giga actually rallied to within nine in the third before the Beermen unleashed another big run to pull away for good. (SB)
The Scores:
San Miguel 114 - Lassiter 22, Perez 20, Enciso 20, Tautuaa 15, Cruz 11, Fajardo 10, Brondial 6, Manuel 5, Ross 3, Pessumal 2, Canete 0, Herndon 0, Zamar 0, Faundo 0.
TNT 96 - Pogoy 31, Tungcab 12, Rosario 10, Montalbo 8, K.Williams 8, Marcelo 5, Banal 3, Cruz 3, M.Williams 2, Ganuelas-Rosser 0, Reyes 0.
Quarters: 40-24, 63-50, 92-68, 114-96
