San Miguel ousts Rain or Shine, sets up PBA finals showdown vs TNT

IT IS ON. #PBAFinals begin this Sunday! 💥🏀 pic.twitter.com/pUTad94JDs

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) August 2, 2019

MANILA, Philippines–San Miguel Beer turned to its big guns to outlast Rain or Shine, 98-95, and punch its return ticket to the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals Friday night at Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.

Import Chris McCullough fired 34 points and 18 rebounds while Alex Cabagnot registered his finest scoring performance in the playoffs with 21 to help the Beermen reach their 42nd appearance in the grandest stage and arrange a best-of-seven clash with top-ranked TNT KaTropa starting Sunday.

“They really gave us a good fight. We were never sure whether if we’d win against them,” coach Leo Austria said. “It’s a rollercoaster journey to the Finals, but we’ll enjoy this.”

FILE – Another explosive performance from Chris McCullough carries San Miguel to finals.

Reinforcement Carl Montgomery delivered 18 points and 17 boards for the Elasto Painters in a losing stand that only had a clear victor until the waning moments of the contest.

Terrence Romeo was held scoreless in his first 20 minutes on the floor, but was able to knock down a tough pull-up jumper at final 1:45 to add to McCullough’s triple that put the Beermen on the driver seat, 98-94.

James Yap had 10 points in the affair to go with two more twin digit performances by the Painters but botched a play that would’ve sent the game to overtime.

“We’re going to face a tough team—a team that’s been playing the highest level of basketball right now,” Austria said ahead of the showdown with KaTropa.