BATANGAS - San Miguel Beer rose to the challenge of Alaska Milk, never backing down from a fierce pressing and attacking duel, and coming through with a crucial 109-96 victory in their Petron Blaze road showdown at the Batangas City Complex Saturday.
Chris Ross, June Mar Fajardo, Arwind Santos and Marcio Lassiter made the big difference as the Beermen redeemed themselves from their upset by the Blackwater Elite the last time and in the process closed in on a Top Two finish in the PBA Philippine Cup elims.
One more win in their last two games against Kia and Rain or Shine could well guarantee the Beermen of a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals.
Ross top scored with 24 points that went with nine assists, four steals and three rebounds, Santos and Lassiter made 21 points each and combined for 22 boards while Fajardo asserted himself with 18 rebounds and 17 points as the Beermen nailed a seventh win against two losses.
With their dreaded press, the Aces held sway most of the first three quarters but seemed to run out of gas and firepower in the end.
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They suffered a second straight loss and dropped to third place behind the Beermen and the Magnolia Hotshots (7-3) at 6-4.
The Beermen stepped up their own pressing and attacking game in the fourth quarter and won the game on big 22-13 closing flurry from a slim 87-83 lead.
The Beermen pounced on the Aces, 35-25, in the final frame.
The Aces took an early double-digit spread at 19-9 and led by as many as 15 before closing the half at 50-41.
They enjoyed a 18-8 advantage on turnovers points and 23-9 on bench production in the first half. And they stayed on the driver's seat until the Beermen finally ignited a decisive run to surge ahead at 74-71 at the end of the third.
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Then back-to-back treys by Yancy de Ocampo and Brian Heruela to start the fourth had SMB seizing full control at 80-71.
The scores:
San Miguel 109 - Ross 24, Santos 21, Lassiter 21, Fajardo 17, Rosser 11, De Ocampo 6, Lanete 4, Heruela 3, Vigil 2, Pessumal 0, Semerad 0.
Alaska 96 - Casio 20, Thoss 15, Manuel 13, Racal 13, R. Pascual 9, Enciso 9, Abueva 7, Cruz 6, Exciminiano 4, Baclao 0, Potts 0
Quarters: 16-26, 41-50, 74-71, 109-96.
