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San Miguel heart June Mar Fajardo goes up in opposition to NorthPort’s Troy Rike. PBA IMAGES
Pushed by pleasure and fueled by its depth, San Miguel Beer on Thursday utilized the broom on NorthPort with a 100-95 Recreation 2 choice that despatched the Beermen again to the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals after being conspicuous absentees final 12 months.
Seven Beermen completed with 11 factors or extra and it was greater than sufficient to carry off the Batang Pier’s repeated tries at a comeback as San Miguel, the indominable all-Filipino power of the final decade, solid an attention-grabbing duel with No. 1 seed TNT.
“Each convention, all people’s anticipating us to do effectively,” coach Leo Austria mentioned shortly after sweeping the Batang Pier of their best-of-three quarterfinals collection at Don Honorio Ventura State College in Bacolor, Pampanga. “That’s the strain now we have to face. Which means there’s one thing about us.”
SMC anniversary
San Miguel’s new man, CJ Perez, starred as soon as once more, scoring 21 factors off the bench that went with 4 rebounds, two steals and two blocks within the decisive victory that despatched NorthPort packing.
“Coach informed us simply how vital profitable this recreation is. It’s San Miguel Corp.’s (SMC) anniversary and it’s been some time for the reason that group made the semifinals,” Perez mentioned.
It’s simply been a 12 months, to be actual. And through that point, cornerstone June Mar Fajardo was absent, and Terrence Romeo was despatched house attributable to a dislocated shoulder.
The league’s solely six-time Most Precious Participant, Fajardo completed with a double-double of 12 factors and 12 boards, whereas Romeo scored 11 in his first recreation again since having his knee screened.
San Miguel led by as many as 13 factors, and practically gave up that lead till Marcio Lassiter’s intestine punch of a triple with 4:37 left to pluck the Beermen out of hurt’s means.
NorthPort acquired the products from Greg Slaughter and rookie Jamie Malonzo because the duo can maintain their heads excessive after capping a sterling convention with splendid particular person efforts.
Absent skipper
Slaughter scored 27 factors and the pair mixed for 44, practically half of the group’s whole output, plugging the absence of skipper Sean Anthony, who sat out the sport after rolling his ankle late in Recreation 1.
Robert Bolick completed with 14 assists and 12 factors as he was hampered by frosty capturing from deep.
San Miguel will now face TNT, with the Beermen wanting to attract loads from their final assembly.
Austria and his prices have been the one ones to place a dent to Chot Reyes and his wards’ exceptional run this convention, an 83-67 blowout that snapped a seven-game Tropang Giga streak then.
However that’s historical historical past now.
“The semifinals, particularly a best-of-seven, is a unique story,” mentioned Austria. “[The Tropang Giga] are taking part in exhausting, taking part in stunning basketball.”
In the meantime, No. 3 Magnolia accomplished a two-game sweep of No. 6 Rain or Shine, after a 96-86 victory within the second recreation. Paul Lee had 24 factors whereas Calvin Abueva chipped in 20 factors and 19 rebounds because the Hotshots booked a semifinal date in opposition to the winner of the Meralco-NLEX matchup.
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