San Miguel fends off NLEX for sixth straight win

Arizona Reid of San Miguel Beer vs Kwame Alexander of NLEX. PBA IMAGE

San Miguel rolled down the rail spikes on NLEX, 96-92, to claim its sixth straight win in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Friday at Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

It was a close fourth quarter but the Beermen managed to halt every potential rally from the Road Warriors as import AZ Reid took over in the final three minutes.

Reid scored nine Beermen points in the final minutes with a beautiful three-point play with 1:16 left in the fourth to give San Miguel a 95-88 lead and send NLEX import Kwame Alexander to the bench for his sixth foul.

Beermen head coach Leo Austria said they have to take control of NLEX early in the game and stop the Road Warriors’ momentum before it goes to the final stages.

“NLEX is a confident team, last time they beat Alaska and last conference they embarrassed us,” Austria said.

San Miguel took a 100-93 loss at the hands of NLEX in the Governor’s Cup on Feb. 24.

“That’s why we don’t have a reason to be complacent.”

Unfortunately for the Beermen, the Road Warriors did have a better start than them, outscoring them 42-38 in the first two quarters.

“I always tell them, NLEX is good especially in the beginning of the game.”

Reid caught fire for San Miguel as he finished with 30 points and 10 boards while Marcio Lassiter added 21 points.

Reigning MVP June Mar Fajardo had 16 points and 17 points for the 6-2 Beermen.

Michael Madanly led NLEX with 24 points while Kwame Alexander had 21 points and 13 boards.

The scores:

SAN MIGUEL 96 – Reid 30, Lassiter 21, Fajardo 16, Cabagnot 8, Santos 8, Tubid 7, Lutz 3, Ross 3, Reyes 0, Espinas 0.

NLEX 92 – Madanly 24, Alexander 21, Taulava 20, Canaleta 10, Wilson 5, Cardona 4, Villanueva J. 4, Villanueva E. 2, Ramos 2, Lingganay 0, Arboleda W. 0.

Quarters: 23-26, 42-38, 73-69, 96