Just too good

San Miguel Beer didn’t take any chances on Friday, dominating on both ends early to turn back Magnolia, 108-101, and knot their best-of-seven series for the PBA Philippine Cup at 1-1 at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.

The Beermen made use of a fiery performance in the middle quarters to break away from the Hotshots and take full control of the contest and wrest psychological edge going into Sundays crucial third game also at the fabled Big Dome.

“We were trying to avoid going [down] 0-2. I told them to step up on defense and that’s what’s happened,” San Miguel coach Leo Austria said. “I think what happened tonight was that we were able to set up the plays and not rely solely on June Mar (Fajardo).”

Chris Ross was the catalyst in the second period, while skipper Alex Cabagnot followed through in the next frame as a total of seven players tossed in twin figures that baffled the Magnolia defense.

Mangolia got 18 points from Ian Sangalang, while Jio Jalalon and Mark Barroca tossed in 15 and 12, respectively.

“Like I’ve said, once they reach a hundred points, we have a slim chance of defeating them,” Magnolia’s Chito Victolero admitted.