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MANILA, Philippines — San Miguel Beer withstood a fourth quarter rally by NorthPort, 88-86, in the PBA Philippine Cup at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Arwind Santos hit the game-winning jumper near the free throw line with 1.2 seconds left as the Beermen survived after blowing a 16-point lead.
🎥 Arwind for the lead… YESSIR!
88-86 SMB 4q 1.2 secs
NorthPort ball#PBAItuloyAngLaban pic.twitter.com/dm7Ov3VbUA— PBA (@pbaconnect) July 25, 2021
CJ Perez scored a team-high 18 points that went with eight rebounds and five steals for San Miguel Beer, which won its second straight game after dropping its opener.
Santos, who got called for a technical foul with 7.3 ticks remaining that led to a game-tying free throw by Robert Bolick, added 17 points, five rebounds and three blocks.
The Beermen also spoiled the debut of Greg Slaughter for the Batang Pier, who acquired the 7-foot center in a blockbuster trade with Barangay Ginebra last March.
In his first game back since the 2019 Governors’ Cup Finals last January 2020, a reinvigorated Slaughter put up game-highs of 23 points and 17 rebounds in close to 38 minutes of action.
Slaughter played a key role in NorthPort’s comeback bid in which it outscored San Miguel, 21-5, before Santos’ go-ahead basket.
But not even the big boost provided by Slaughter was enough to give NorthPort the victory as it fell to 1-2.