ANTIPOLO -- San Miguel Beer endured a 48-minute intense physical battle, banking on experience to ward off Magnolia, 77-76, and nail an outright playoff spot in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Ynares Sports Center here Sunday.
June Mar Fajardo asserted himself at the finish and drew the needed help from Chris Ross, Chico Lanete and Marcio Lassiter as the Beermen bounced back from a loss to the Barangay Ginebra Kings the last time and thus reclaimed league leadership at 6-1.
Playing catch-up basketball most of the way, the Beermen grabbed the lead entering the homestretch and held on to drop the Magnolia Hotshots to joint second place with the Alaska Milk Aces at 6-2.
All three teams, however, are now all virtually assured of a slot in the quarterfinals.
"We're shocked with the kind of defense they (the Hotshots) showed despite coming from a game Friday. It appeared they saved a lot of energy for tonight's game," said San Miguel coach Leo Austria. "It also looked the physicality of the game became more intense. Good thing, we're able to stay focused."
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The Hotshots did come out with tremendous energy and intensity playing a second game in three nights.
Mark Barroca and his teammates outworked and outplayed the Beermen in the first three quarters only to falter and fail at the finish.
Fajardo delivered 19 points and 21 rebounds while Ross, Lassiter, Lanete and Arwind Santos added at least 11 points each as the Beermen handed the Hotshots a first loss in their last six outings.
"They're very determined to beat us. But we're also out to win, knowing the importance of all the games. Had we lost, we would drop to No. 3. Now, we're back at No. 1," said Austria.
The SMB bench chieftain commended Lanete for taking his turn to step up in the continued absence of Alex Cabagnot.
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Lanete, a third-string guard, put in 14 points, including a booming trey that pushed San Miguel ahead to stay at 73-71.
Later, Fajardo and Lassiter knocked in free throws that kept the Hotshots at bay.
Curiously, the Beermen's win over the Hotshots was a virtual reverse of their 96-100 loss to the Gin Kings.
San Miguel blew a big lead over Ginebra. Against Magnolia, the Beermen rallied from 14 points down en route to a one-point win. (SB)
The scores:
San Miguel 77 - Fajardo 19, Ross 15, Lanete 14, Lassiter 12, Santos 11, Rosser 6, Semerad 0, Agovida 0, Heruela 0, Mamaril 0, Pessumal 0.
Magnolia 76 - Barroca 21, Sangalang 13, Melton 10, Jalalon 8, Ramos 7, Pingris 5, Dela Rosa 4, Reavis 4, Simon 2, Pascual 2, Herndon 0.
Quarters: 21-20, 34-44, 52-60, 77-76.
