San Miguel crushes NorthPort, joins close race for QF bond

Defending champion San Miguel Beer ended his knockout round campaign on a high note Tuesday night with a 120-99 loss to NorthPort in the PBA Philippine Cup at the University Foundation Sports and Cultural Center. of Angeles.

Arwind Santos had 23 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists, while Marcio Lassiter and Mo Tautuaa scored 21 points each for the Beermen to return in the second quarter before building a dominant lead after halftime to reach the quarterfinals. with a 7-4 record.

SMB closed the playoffs with back-to-back victories that began with Barangay Ginebra San Miguel 81-66 last Sunday.

The only thing that has not been resolved at the moment is the position of SMB in the quarters that will be known after the quadruple card on Wednesday to close the playoffs.

San Miguel is still in contention for a two-goal lead to the top four teams and a system of quotients will determine whether coach Leo Austria’s boys had done enough to get a favorable seed in the quarters.

“What is important for us is that we can win our last two games because that could give us a chance to reach the top four,” Austria said.

Kelly Nabong, facing her former team for the first time, scored 29 points but NorthPort fell to a 1-9 record.

Nabong nearly sparked an altercation during garbage time when he committed a flagrant 1 foul on Santos, who was not very satisfied with the contact that almost led to an awkward landing.

Santos tried to confront Nabong in what appeared to be retaliation for the heated SMB exchange during a practice last season that involved both players. But the colder heads could contain Santos.

Von Pessumal added 15 points, Bam Gamalinda scored 12 and Alex Cabagnot added 11 points, five rebounds, six assists and two steals in nearly 20 minutes.

Scores:

SAN MIGUEL 120 – Santos 23, Tautuaa 21, Lassiter 21, Pessumal 15, Gamalinda 12, Cabagnot 11, Zamar 9, Comboy 5, Alolino 2, Escoto 1, Ross 0, Mamaril 0, De Guzman 0.

NORTHPORT 99 – Nabong 29, Taha 16, Elorde 14, Cruz 12, Standhardinger 10, Subido 6, Manganti 5, Ferrer 5, Guinto 2, Revilla 0.

Quarters: 24-30, 57-47, 100-76, 120-99.