SMB ties series at 1 in heated Game 2 vs Alaska Aces, 100-86

Vic Manuel (Alaska) vs Arwind Santos (SMB). PBA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—It’s all tied up as the San Miguel Beermen avenged their Game 1 loss against the Alaska Aces with a 100-86 thrashing in a physical Game 2 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals Friday evening at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Pulling away in the fourth quarter, the Beermen went on a 19-4 beer run with 2014 Most Valuable Player Junemar Fajardo powering his way for a layup to put San Miguel up 91-74.

San Miguel survived a heated affair which saw 55 total fouls and bodies hitting the floor on the regular.

A bloodied Arwind Santos came off the floor at the 6:06 mark of the third quarter after Calvin Abueva’s elbow hit the 2013 MVP on the forehead during a box out attempt.

David Semerad and former Beerman Dondon Hontiveros got tangled up with 4:14 left in the third.

Semerad once again became victim this time to Vic Manuel when the Alaska forward dropped him to the floor at the 3:50 mark of the third.

Beermen head coach Leo Austria said it was the play of his two MVP’s that were a major factor in the 1-1 draw.

“Despite the high intensity of Alaska’s defense, we were able to break it down and give the ball to Junemar in the post,” Austria said. “Arwind was also a major factor as he was able to dictate the game and face Calvin Abueva.”

He added that they had to set aside the first game loss and start anew.

“We set aside the first game and start a new series. We led by 22 in the first game and there must be something in us,” Austria said whose team had a meltdown in the opener. “Our management told us to forget the past and think of the future.”

Alaska held a 61-55 lead at the start of the third before the physicality ironically sparked the Beermen.

Santos led the Beermen with 22 points while Chris Lutz had a double-double of 20 points and 10 boards.

Fajardo posted another double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds.

Sonny Thoss led Alaska with 16 points with JVee Casio adding 14.

Box scores

SAN MIGUEL BEER 100 – Santos 22, Lutz 20, Fajardo 15, Ross 12, Semerad 10, Lassiter 8, Cabagnot 7, Omolon 2, Pascual 2, Tubid 2, Kramer 0, Fortuna 0, Chua 0, Maierhofer 0.

ALASKA 86 – Thoss 16, Casio 14, Baguio 13, Abueva 11, Hontiveros 8, Banchero 7, Jazul 5, Menk 4, Dela Cruz 4, Eman 2, Manuel 2, Exciminiano 0, Dela Rosa 0, Espinas 0.

Quarterscores: 32-28, 51-48, 72-70, 100-86

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