MANILA, Philippines — San Miguel Beer escaped NLEX, 79-76, to get back into the winning track in the 2015 PBA Philippine Cup Saturday night at the Mindanao Civic Center in Tubod, Lanao del Norte.
The Beermen bucked four missed free throws in the final 30 seconds with a string of defensive stops for their fourth win in five games.
Marcio Lassiter topscored with 22 points and Arwind Santos notched a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds for San Miguel Beer, which bounced back from a close loss to league-leading Alaska last Wednesday.
Santos though, muffed a pair of free throws that would’ve sealed the game. Marcio Lassiter, who led San Miguel Beer’s rally from 10 points down in the second quarter, had gone one-of-two earlier before Chris Ross also split hit charities that left the door open for NLEX.
However, the Road Warriors couldn’t capitalize with Mac Cardona misfiring on a floater over the contesting June Mar Fajardo and Jonas Villanueva way off on a heave near halfcourt before time expired.
NLEX, which dropped to 2-3, took a 28-18 lead after a 3-pointer by Wynne Arboleda early in the second quarter before San Miguel Beer went on a 24-12 run to end the period.
Niño Canaleta sank a triple that gave the lead back to the Road Warriors, 76-75, with 3:08 remaining before Chris Lutz answered back with a baseline jumper a minute later as the Beermen led for good.
June Mar Fajardo also finished in double-digit points and rebounds with 11 and 13, respectively.
But Fajardo, who took 11 shots and made only four, obviously had a hard time against NLEX’s defense anchored by veteran big man Asi Taulava.
Taulava stood his ground against the reigning MVP Fajardo at the defensive end while also making an impact in offense with 13 points and seven rebounds.
Cardona fired 19 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the field as he spearheaded NLEX’s quick start.