MANILA – San Miguel Beermen survived a late run by Meralco Bolts for an 89-78 victory in Game 5 of the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup semifinals last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
After seeing their once 15-point lead trimmed to 78-76, the Beermen got a split free throw from Ilonggo Jericho Cruz and three more charity stripe points from John Rodney Brondial for an 82-76 lead.
Following misses the by the Bolts, the Beermen put the game from within reach on a two-pointer by Brondial, a fastbreak layup by Simon Enciso and a free throw by Jaymar Perez for an 87-76 edge.
Perez finished the game with 25 points, nine rebounds and five assists as the Beermen moved closer to a return trip to the PBA Finals; they took a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Cruz chipped in 17 markers, mostly in the second half; June Mar Fajardo had double-double 12 points and 15 rebounds, while Enciso contributed 10 points for the Beermen.
Chris Newsome top-scored with 24 points, Allein Maliksi added 12 markers, while Kier John Quinto and Clifford Hodge ended up with 11 each for the Bolts.
Meanwhile, Ian Sangalang came up with crucial hits in the endgame as the Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots stayed alive with a 105-97 victory over TNT Tropang Giga in Game 5 to trim the semis series deficit to 2-3.
Holding to a slim 85-82 lead, Sangalang came up with five points from inside coupled by a triple by Aris Dionisio and a two-pointer from Calvin Abueva for a 95-89 lead.
The Tropang Giga threatened to within 92-95 but free throws by Paul Lee and Andy Mark Barroca and another inside conversion from Sangalang gave the Hotshots a 105-94 upperhand.
Sangalang finished the game with 16 points, with seven coming in the fourth quarter, Barroca added 25 markers, while Lee and Abueva also ended up with 16 points each for the Hotshots.
BOX SCORE:
SAN MIGUEL 89 — Perez 25, Cruz 17, Fajardo 12, Enciso 10, Tautuaa 9, Manuel 6, Lassiter 5, Brondial 5, Ross 0, Herndon 0.
MERALCO 78 — Newsome 24, Maliksi 12, Quinto 11, Hodge 11, Almazan 8, Black 6, Pascual 2, Banchero 2, Hugnatan 2, Baclao 0, Jose 0.
Quarterscores: 25-22, 41-44, 67-56, 89-78./PN
