MANILA – Moala Tautuaa converted timely hits down the stretch as San Miguel Beermen escaped with a 113-110 victory over Terrafirma Dyip in the PBA Philippine Cup on Wednesday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate, Manila.
With the Dyip threatening at 107-108 after two free throws by rookie Stephen Holt, Tautuaa connected a three-pointer to give the Beermen a 111-107 edge with over a minute left.
Terrafirma responded with a three-pointer by George Isaac Go to cut the deficit to 110-111, but Tautuaa increased the Beermen’s lead to 113-110 with an inside shot by Tautuaa.
Tautuaa finished the game with a season-high of 24 points, including three three-point connections, to go with eight rebounds and four assists as the Beermen stayed on top with a 5-0 record.
Jaymar Perez led the way with 25 points, June Mar Fajardo had a double-double of 20 points and 17 rebounds, and Terrence Romeo contributed 16 points for the defending champions, SMB.
“When we play games, we try to improve and try to get better at things that we have to get better at,” said Beermen head coach Jorge Gallent. “We just have to practice our transition defense more and see what happens.”
Juan Miguel Tiongson finished with 24 points, Go and Javi Gomez de Liano added 21 markers each, and Holt contributed 18 points as the Dyip dropped to a 4-4 win-loss record.
Meanwhile, Ian Sangalang dominated inside in the last two quarters as Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots (2-2) scored a 104-97 victory over NorthPort Batang Pier (4-2).
The 6-foot-7 center made his presence felt in the second half, dropping 20 of his career-high 32 points as the Hotshots halted a two-game losing skid. James Laput backed him up with 14 markers.
“For me, siguro ‘yung mga teammates ko (‘yung naging inspiration ko sa game na ito), we help each other, pinag-usapan namin na magtulong-tulong kami,” Sangalang said in a post-game interview./PN
BOX SCORE:
SAN MIGUEL 113 – Perez 25, Tauatua 24, Fajardo 20, Romeo 16, Cruz 9, Manuel 7, Lassiter 6, Trollano 5, Ross 1, Enciso 0, Teng 0.
TERRAFIRMA 110 – Tiongson 24, Go 21, Gomez de Liano 21, Holt 18, Carino 9, Cahilig 6, Sangalang 5, Ramos 4, Alolino 2, Olivario 0, Calvo 0.
Quarterscores: 24-26, 45-54, 78-75, 113-110.
