SMB – MERALCO TIFF ENDS IN STANDOFF
Meralco and San Miguel Beer fought to an 83-83 deadlock Saturday in the 2014 PBA Holcim Liga ng Bayan Preseason Games at the Blue Eagle Gym in Ateneo.
The Bolts hammered the Beermen early in the game behind Simon Atkins, and erected a 14-point advantage, 16-2.
San Miguel, however, slowly came back and knotted the score at 68 after a June Mar Fajardo basket late in the third period.
It was a see-saw battle from rhat point on, with San Miguel Beer snatching the lead, 83-80 in the final 1:47.
Gary David tied the game at 83 with a left wing trey, time down to 13.3 seconds, to set up the cardiac finish.
Unfortunately, both squads could not convert in their final possessoons.
“I wasn’t happy with our performance but I’m glad that we were able to come back in the game. I think given one more week, we’ll be good to go,” said San Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria.
“We’re still a work in progress, but it’s a preseason game. We haven’t lost one in our six games yet but we’ll see,” said Meralco coach Norman Black.
David led the Bolts with 18 points, while John Wilson continued his impressive showing in the offseason with his 17 markers.
Atkins had eight of his 13 points in the first quarter, while Cliff Hodge added 11.
Fajardo had 13 points in the third quarter when San Miguel clawed back into the game. He finished with a double-double of 19 markers and 12 rebounds.
Chris Lutz added 17 points, while Marcio Lassiter knocked down 14. (RL)
The Scores:
MERALCO 83 – David 18, Wilson 17, Atkins 13, Hodge 11, Anthony 9, Hugnatan 9, Morrison 4, Dillinger 2, Buenafe 0, Sena 0, Caram 0, Ferriols 0.
SAN MIGUEL BEER 83 – Fajardo 19, Lutz 17, Lassiter 14, Chua 8, Mercado 6, Hubalde 5, Tubid 5, Omolon 5, Maierhofer 2, Ross 2.
Quarters: 24-13, 39-35, 70-68, 83-83.
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
