SAN MIGUEL BEER SURVIVES NLEX IN TUBOD
TUBOD, Lanao del Norte – San Miguel Beer made just enough charities on key hustle plays as the Beermen survived the NLEX Road Warriors, 79-76, in a down-the-wire battle in the Petron Blaze PBA on Tour at the Mindanao Civic Center here Saturday night.
The Beermen converted only two of six free throws in the last 20 seconds but made the needed stops as they fended off the Road Warriors to seize solo second place behind unbeaten leader Alaska Milk in the PBA Philippine Cup.
“I expected this kind of game because I know NLEX is capable of beating any team in the PBA,” said San Miguel coach Leo Austria. “They gave us a really difficult time offensively and defensively. Our players just held their composure in the end game, making some good plays and stops.”
San Miguel pulled ahead at 77-76 on a jumper by Chris Lutz from the left corner and held NLEX scoreless in the last 3:03 of play as the Beermen bounced back from a loss to the Aces the last time out.
The Beermen broke free from a tie with the Barangay Ginebra Kings and the Meralco Bolts at second place with a fourth win in five games.
The Road Warriors, meanwhile, fell to eighth place at 2-3.
The Beermen overcame the Road Warriors’ gritty stand, their endgame lapses and the early exit of Ronald Tubid following a collision with Rico Villanueva.
It’s a fearful sight with Tubid rolling on the floor in pain, holding on to his left knee.
Tubid, however, already looked okay at the end of the game.
“Thank God, he’s okay. Actually, he wanted to get back but I opted not to field him anymore,” said Austria.
Junmar Fajardo, Arwind Santos, Chris Ross, Marcio Lassiter and Lutz formed the SMB unit that held off Asi Taulava and his NLEX teammates at the finish.
NLEX got off to a good start, led by as many as 10 at 28-18 and was in the fight till the end with the Beermen muffing free throws.
But the Road Warriors eventually lost the game as Jonas Villanueva’s heave from way out at the buzzer missed the target.
Ahead by one at 77-76, the Beermen couldn’t put the game away as Santos missed two foul shots while Lassiter and Ross split theirs
They struggled from the line but played tough on defense and couldn’t be stopped getting important rebounds.
The Road Warriors held onto the lead for the last time at 76-75 on a booming three-pointer by KG Canaleta with 3:03 left. They failed to stretch the gap as Canaleta missed his two succeeding open three-point attempts.
Santos collected 12 points, 11 rebounds and one block to pace the Beermen. (SB)
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