Mo Tautuaa leads San Miguel. PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines — Defending champion San Miguel Beer came back to beat Meralco, 89-82, for its third straight win in the PBA Philippine Cup at AUF Sports Arena & Cultural Center in Angeles, Pampanga.
The Beermen rose from 13 points down in the third quarter thanks to their hot outside shooting in the final frame, where they hit five 3-pointers including two in succession by Alex Cabagnot and Chris Ross inside the last three minutes.
Ross’ triple with 19.9 seconds left clinched San Miguel’s fourth victory in six games.
“Coach told us to keep fighting, keep grinding just keep pushing until we get into the end,” said SMB big man Moala Tautuaa.
“We were so lucky in the fourth quarter that we were able to catch up because they know it’s winning time,” said head coach Leo Austria.
Tautuaa led San Miguel with 23 points while Arwind Santos posted 17 points and 11 rebounds for his fifth double-double in six games.
Chris Newsome had 14 points, eight rebounds, six assists and two steals for the Bolts, who took a 67-54 lead with 53 ticks remaining in the third period.
Meralco dropped to 3-3 after coming off back-to-back wins.