Beermen snatch win as Batang Pier falter

MANILA, Philippines — San Miguel Beer, with its Big Three contributing heavily in the second half, pounded out a come-from-behind 102-99 decision of Globalport Tuesday night at Mall of Asia Arena that kept the Beermen in the Top Four of the PBA Governors’ Cup.

June Mar Fajardo scattered 26 points on top of a career-high 27 rebounds, import Reggie Williams shot 23 and Arwind Santos had a double-double of 18 points and 11 boards as the Beermen roared back from 15 points down at the half to rise to 4-2.

The heartbreaker of a loss was the second straight for the Batang Pier, who fell to 1-4. Globalport’s previous loss, which came at the hands of San Mig Coffee, also had the Batang Pier blowing a 20-point second-quarter lead.

“I expected a very close game, but I didn’t expect that we would be needing to catch up,” San Miguel assistant coach Todd Purves told reporters later. “We didn’t come out ready to play. Fortunately, we were ready to finish.”

Santos scored 14 of his total and Williams nine in the third period when the Beermen made a game out of it before playing hard the rest of the way to grind out the win even with two key men out on sick bay.

Chris Ross and Marcio Lassiter watched the game in civilian clothes because of leg injuries, giving Sol Mercado a lot of time at the point-guard spot.

Dior Lowhorn scored 24 points in the first half and helped the Batang Pier establish several commanding leads as they went into the halftime break sitting on a 59-44 spread.

Globalport had a chance to send the game into overtime, gaining possession with over seven seconds remaining after two missed Santos free throws.

But rookie Terrence Romeo dribbled out the clock trying to find an opening to the consternation of the Batang Pier coaching staff.

Meanwhile, Air21 tries to stay in the upper half of the standings when the Express battle resurgent Meralco at 5:45 p.m. Wednesday at Philsports Arena in Pasig.

After losing for just the second time two nights ago, the Express will be seeking a fourth win to keep the leaders within sight and enhance their chance for a twice-to-beat privilege in the quarterfinals. Rain or Shine and Alaska slug it out in the 8 p.m. game.

The scores:

First Game

SAN MIGUEL BEER 102—Fajardo 26, Williams 23, Santos 18, Mercado 10, Kramer 7, Tubid 6, Lanete 6, Lutz 6, Maierhofer 0, Duncil 0, Chua 0.

GLOBALPORT 99—Lowhorn 38, Washington 14, Cabagnot 13, Romeo 11, Menk 6, Lingganay 5, Yee 4, Matias 2, Ponferada 2, Hayes 2, Salvador 2, Garcia 0.

Quarters: 24-27, 44-59, 81-82, 102-99