MANILA – San Miguel Beermen did not show any rust as it pummeled Magnolia Hotshots 111-87 in Game 3 of the PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven Finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Marcio Lassiter led the way with 24 points, including five 3-point conversions, while June Mar Fajardo chipped in double-double 21 points and 17 rebounds for Beermen, which surged to a 2-1 series lead Sunday night.
Chris Ross and Arwind Santos had 14 points apiece while Brian Heruela added 11 markers off the bench for the three-time defending champion.
“I think iyong one-week break worked in our favor, and we’re able to recharge and to focus and recuperate from minor injuries, especially Marcio and Chris Ross who are suffering a lot of bangaan inside,” said Beermen head coach Leo Austria.
Beermen waxed hot early on 3-point conversions from Ross and Lassiter for a 21-12 advantage. Hotshots answered with a rally from Aldrech Ramos but San Miguel got hits from Fajardo for a 29-19 lead.
San Miguel was still hanging around with a 38-30 lead in the second quarter when Magnolia went on a huge run behind Paul Lee to cut the deficit to a single point. Beermen was able to maintain a 50-49 halftime lead on a Matthew Ganuelas-Rosser hit.
Beermen opened the second half with an 8-2 run on outside hits by Ross and Lassiter. The lead grew to 66-55 on inside hits by Fajardo but Hotshots answered with baskets from Ian Sangalang to come close 68-75.
Early in the fourth quarter Magnolia was ahead 71-77 when San Miguel unloaded a huge 13-0 scoring run led by Lassiter and built their largest lead in the game 101-77 on a triple by Santos.
Andy Mark Barroca top-scored for Hotshots with 22 points while Lee and Ramos added 15 and 12 points, respectively./PN
