PBA: San Miguel halts Magnolia streak to maintain perfect run

San Miguel vs Magnolia. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—San Miguel survived a gutsy and gritty game to overcome Magnolia, 90-89, in the PBA Governors’ Cup Friday at Mall of Asia Arena.

The Beermen snapped the Hotshots’ three-game winning streak to stay unscathed at 4-0, just behind leader TNT which holds a 5-0 card.

Defense proved to be the defining factor for San Miguel with Dez Wells’ layup with 2:11 left to play becoming the match’s final field goal.

Collectively, the two teams missed six shots in the final two minutes.

Magnolia dropped to 3-2.

“The players refused to lose and they know the importance of this game,” said San Miguel head coach Leo Austria. “Credit also goes to the opponents because they know how we play and they had a well-executed game plan.”

Magnolia suffered two unlucky breaks in the fourth quarter, the first one being Romeo Travis hurting his leg after colliding with Chris Ross with 4:44 left to play and the other being the more gruesome one after Paul Lee lost a tooth with 2:53 remaining.

Lee had an awkward fall after Wells’ challenged his layup hitting his face on the parquet floor.

Magnolia had a chance at the buzzer but Mark Barroca’s heave fell short.

Wells finished with 33 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and four steals to lead the Beermen while June Mar Fajardo added 16 points and 16 boards.

Alex Cabagnot also finished in double figures with 13 points with four assists and three steals.

Travis had 31 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists for the Hotshots who slipped to the fifth spot in the standings.