San Miguel Beermen import EJ Anosike during the PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals Game 2 against Converge FiberXers. –PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines–San Miguel played with steely nerves once again, weathering yet another late surge fightback from Converge on Saturday night for a 107-100 victory that gave the Beermen a 2-0 lead in their PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals series.
Import EJ Anosike was solid anew for the powerhouse club, putting up 41 points, nine rebounds and five assists in the triumph at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
June Mar Fajardo, the league MVP, added 15 points and 16 rebounds as San Miguel moved a win away from booking a trip to the conference semifinals.
SCHEDULE: 2024 PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals
“Converge is a strong team with a good import. We’re just played better in the last six minutes of the ball game and that’s why [we won],” San Miguel coach Jorge Gallent said.
“Our composure is coming through in the end game as the players just stuck with what they’re good at.”
Converge import Jalen Jones had 36 points and 12 rebounds, while top-scoring local Alec Stockton tossed in 14 in the losing stand. Bryan Santos and Justin Arana both scored with 12 points each before the latter hyperextended his knee which eventually kept him from finishing the game.
READ: PBA: San Miguel turns back Converge to take quarterfinals Game 1
San Miguel can finish off Converge, and deal the telco club their fourth-straight first-round exit this Monday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.
“I’m sure they’ll come out strong heading to Monday’s game,” Galent said. “We just have to stay focused, bring our energy and not think of that 2-0 lead. We have to think it’s a do-or-die game so that we don’t relax and we come out strong and play for 48 minutes.”