Feisty SMB import Chris Mccullough. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—All’s well that ends well for San Miguel.
Things got heated down the stretch for the Beermen with import Chris McCullough shouting and cursing at his teammates during a time out with 7:27 on the clock in the third quarter.
San Miguel was already behind in the series opener when things turned for the worse as the Beermen defense discombobulated and allowed Rain or Shine import Carl Montgomery to go for an easy dunk for a 66-59 lead.
“The guys, I was cursing at them, to be honest, but I was just trying to be a leader, get everybody up,” said McCullough after the 111-105 Game 1 win. “We were down, we needed a couple stops to get back into the game.”
Ironically, it was Kelly Nabong, the temperamental big man, who tried to calm down the import, who said he was merely trying to pump his teammates up.
“I just tried to bring everybody’s spirits up, it’s a long game,” said
It seemed like McCullough’s outburst worked as the Beermen responded thoroughly by closing out the Elasto Painters to get the headstart in their best-of-five series.
San Miguel rallied in the third quarter and outscored Rain or Shine 26-17 after the heated moment to take an 85-83 lead heading into the fourth period, where they took over for good.
McCullough and Christian Standhardinger were magnificent in the final frame scoring nine points apiece as Rain or Shine failed to cope with the Beermen’s offense.
Although Rain or Shine managed to cut the deficit to one, 106-105, with 2:28 remaining, McCullough responded quickly scoring five unanswered points to close the affair.
“Everybody stepped up, it was a team effort and we got a good win,” said McCullough who finished with 32 points, 14 rebounds, and five assists. “It was a physical game, a tough one, and it’s going to be a good series.”
“We played hard, we got some stops, made free throws, and got the win.”