MANILA – San Miguel Beermen leaned on Terrence Romeo’s clutch hits to oust Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings, 111-102, in the 2021 Philippine Basketball Association’s (PBA) Philippine Cup last night at the Don Honorio Ventura State University Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.
After a furious Ginebra rally cut their double-digit advantage to 97-100, Romeo steadied the ship for San Miguel Beer with a four-point play and a layup for a 106-97 spread.
The Kings attempted to come close at 100-106 with a triple by LA Tenorio, but another two-pointer by Romeo followed by three free throws with 34 seconds remaining clinched the Beermen’s triumph.
Romeo finished with a conference-high 29 points, including four three-point baskets, while Marcio Lassiter added 19 points as the Beermen rose to second place in the standings with a 5-2 slate.
Arwind Santos, Jaymar Perez, and Chris Ross also ended up with double-figures scoring outputs with 15, 14, and 13 points, respectively, while June Mar Fajardo had a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds for the Beermen.
In the first game, Rain or Shine Elasto Painters prevailed over Magnolia Pambansang Manok Hotshots, 75-72, due to their steadiness in the endgame. The Painters improved their record to 5-4, while the Hotshots fell to 6-3.
Trailing 68-67 following a three-pointer by Andy Mark Barroca of the Hotshots, the Painters answered with a 5-0 run capped by a three-point play by Leonard Santillan and a basket by Beau Belga to take a 72-68 edge.
The Hotshots came to within two points twice, with last at 72-74, but the Painters extended their lead to 75-72 on a split free throw by Javee Mocon before Magnolia’s three-point efforts fell short.
Mocon tallied 19 points and eight rebounds, Negrense James Yap chipped in 14 points, and Santillan scored a career-high 14 points for the Painters.
In the other match, TNT Tropang GIGA (7-1) recovered from its first defeat of the season by beating sister team NLEX Road Warriors (4-4), 100-85. Mikey Williams recorded a career-best 36 points for the Tropang GIGA.
BOX SCORE:
SAN MIGUEL 111 – Romeo 29, Lassiter 19, Santos 15, Perez 14, Ross 13, Fajardo 10, Tautuaa 8, Pessumal 3, Gotladera 0.
GINEBRA 102 – Tenorio 19, Standhardinger 18, Pringle 16, J. Aguilar 15, Thompson 13, Caperal 8, Tolentino 8, Mariano 3, Devance 2, Dillinger 0, Ayaay 0.
QUARTERSCORES:
28-22, 56-48, 82-74, 111-102./PN
