Alex Cabagnot lifts San Miguel Beer

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

There were a couple of scary moments for San Miguel Beer in Game 1 of its PBA Philippine Cup showdown with Phoenix Pulse Saturday night.

Reigning five-time MVP June Mar Fajardo fell and hit his face hard on the floor late in the second period and had Beermen fans holding their breath before standing up and walking to the bench. Then, late in the fourth, the Fuel Masters launched a furious rally that nearly wiped out what was once a 24-point lead.

On both occasions, Alex Cabagnot stepped up for San Miguel Beer.

The veteran guard finished with 26 points, seven assists, five rebounds and three steals and then capped a strong finish by the Beermen with a slicing drive in a 100-88 victory over the Fuel Masters at Mall of Asia Arena.

And Cabagnot was also the one pumping up the Beermen after Fajardo’s status became uncertain after his fall.

“We just want to be all healthy going into Monday (Game 2),” Cabagnot said.

After falling behind by six at the start of the first quarter, the Beermen came out strong in the next two, leading by as many as 24 points before taking an 81-59 lead going into the fourth.

But Phoenix chewed 15 points off that lead and were within 89-82, before the Beermen’s thirtysomethings decided to step up.

Arwind Santos, 37, nailed a triple while 31-year-old Marcio Lassiter had a steal and two free throws. Cabagnot, 36, split the Phoenix defense and the Beermen were back in full control, 96-83, heading into the homestretch.

“We’re so thankful for this win. We were really worried about the series because we do not have ample time to prepare,” said San Miguel coach  coach Leo Austria.

The win put to waste an 18-point, 21-rebound effort by Calvin Abueva, who also doomed his squad in other facets of his game. Abueva shot just 6 of 22 from the field (27 percent) and missed 10 of his 15 free throw attempts. He also had five turnovers that negated his five assists.

Phoenix shot 32 percent from the field and failed to capitalize on the 28 turnover points it scored off the Beermen’s 23 turnovers.

Meanwhile, Rain or Shine seeks a 2-0 lead in its semifinal showdown with Magnolia when the two teams clash at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Painters took Game 1, 84-77, despite shooting an atrocious 34 percent from the floor and were led by rookie Javee Mocon’s 15 points and nine rebounds.