Shorthanded San Miguel stays perfect, Barako remains winless

Arwin Santos of San Miguel Beermen (light) vs Chito Lanete of Barako Bull Energy (dark). PBA IMAGE by Nuki Sabio

MANILA, Philippines — Arwind Santos played a near-perfect offensive game and San Miguel Beer fashioned out a hard-earned win over Barako Bull, 103-89, to grab a share of the lead in the 2015 PBA Philippine Cup Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Santos, the 2013 MVP, scored 27 points on 9-of-10 shooting from the field missing only one of his six attempts from long distance.

“I think Arwind really wants to win. He’s our captain. I told him to show his leadership and every time we encounter problems he’s been there for us,” said SMB head coach Leo Austria.

June Mar Fajardo also had a solid game with 18 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks for the Beermen, who were without their two key backups upfront.

San Miguel Beer came into the game sans big men Doug Kramer, who sprained his ankle in practice, and Rico Maierhofer due to a swelling in his knee that affected the team’s play on both ends, according to Austria.

“I wasn’t able to have the rotation I was planning to use with two of my big men sidelined with injuries,” said Austria, who also wasn’t pleased with the energy level of his second group.

Fajardo and Santos had to play extended minutes minus Kramer and Maierhofer. The reigning MVP Fajardo logged 40 minutes while Santos played 35 minutes.

Both though could hardly use a second off the floor with their impact in the game very much felt.

Barako Bull, which suffered its third setback in as many stints, refused to go away.

But Santos and Fajardo made sure the Energy will be kept at bay. Santos drained a 3-pointer that pushed the Beermen’s buffer back to seven, 94-87, with 1:05 left. And when Barako Bull still seem to have some fight in them, the 6-foot-10 Fajardo delivered one final blow — a finger-roll off a broken play — for a 96-89 cushion with only 43 seconds left.

Marcio Lassiter also came up big with 20 points, 16 in the second half.

“Marcio Lassiter exploded in the third and fourth quarter. Even though there was hard defense on him he was able to deliver.”

After facing a winless team, San Miguel Beer will now have to go through Alaska, which is also 3-0 and is coming off a masterful 41-point win over Meralco.

“We can beat any team as long as we stick to our game plan,” said Austria.

The Beermen and the Aces clash in the main game on Wednesday also at the Big Dome.

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