San Miguel Extends PBA Philippine Cup Final Series

Bigman Junmar Fajardo returned but it was high-leaping Arwind Santos who stood tall to lead San Miguel Beer into an 86-73 overtime win against Alaska on Wednesday night to extend the PBA Philippine Cup championship series at the Araneta Coliseum.

Fresh from an 110-104 overtime victory in Game Four last Sunday to keep their title retention bid alive, the Beermen opened the extra period with 11-0 run to post a 78-67 lead on Mario Lassiter’s two freethrows.

Vic Manuel gave the Aces their first point from the foul line and JV Casio hit a triple to cut the SMB’s lead to just six, 79-76, but that was the best they could do as Casio missed another from the arc.

Arwind Santos secured the defensive rebound from Casio’s missed triple, got a foul and drilled both freethrows that put the Beermen away, 82-73, with only 34 seconds left in the game.

With their victory, the Beermen put the series a 3-2 and hoping to unleash another gallant fight in Game Six on Friday to force a rubber-match for the crown.

”Now, it’s 3-2, we need to win another one to get to Game 7. Players and fans were inspired by the presence of June Mar. He insisted he wanted to play win or lose,” SMB head coach Leo Austria said.

Fajardo, still nursing an injury in got in the semifinals series against Rain or Shine, managed to finish with only 13 points and four rebounds.

Santos stepped up with 22 points and 16 rebounds while Alex Cabagnot and Lassiter added 12 and 11 markers each.

The scores:

SAN MIGUEL 86 – Santos 22, Fajardo 13, Cabagnot 12, Lassiter 11, Espinas 8, Ross 8, Lutz 6, De Ocampo 4, Reyes 1, Tubid 1, Arana 0, Heruela 0.

ALASKA 73 – Manuel 25, Abueva 12, Banchero 10, Jazul 9, Thoss 4, Casio 3, Exciminiano 3, Hontiveros 3, Baguio 2, Menk 2, Baclao 0, Eman 0.

Quarters: 23-20, 36-36, 52-55, 67-67, 86-73. (PNA) FPV/JFM