Brewers on a streak sink Blackwater in PBA’s first morning game

Manila, Philippines – (UPDATED) San Miguel Beer extended its winning streak to four games after escaping Blackwater, 90-88, in overtime in the first official morning game of the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup, Tuesday at the University of Angeles Foundation Gymnasium in Angeles City. , Pampanga.

The disputed game was the first of four scheduled for Tuesday, as the league returned to action after briefly halting the conference to shore up its COVID-19 protocols.

The Beermen got 26 points and 14 rebounds from Moala Tautuaa, while Chris Ross scored five of his eight points in overtime and also added eight rebounds and three assists to lead the Beermen to victory.

San Miguel, the reigning All-Filipino champion, improved to 5-2 in the conference, while Elite fell to 2-4. It was also Blackwater’s third consecutive loss.

“It is really difficult for us, especially this morning’s match. It is the first time an official match has been played in the morning, but we have to do it due to circumstances,” SMB manager Leo Austria said afterward.

“It is an ugly game, but we love it, because as long as we are winning, there is no problem.” “But I am very happy and we are lucky to get this W.”

San Miguel led, 84-81, with two and a half minutes remaining in regulation, thanks to a 3 by Ross and a bucket by Tautuaa, but they gave a game-tying 3 to Ed Daquioag of Blackwater with 80 seconds left. Neither team could claim victory in the fourth, as the Elite committed turnovers while Alex Cabagnot agonizingly missed two jump shots, the second of which went in and out of the basket.

Blackwater hit first in overtime on a 3-pointer from KG Canaleta, and the Beermen looked gassed as Tautuaa and Arwind Santos missed two layouts at point blank range. But a Ross unit cut the deficit to two points, 88-86, and his division down the line made it a one-point game, 88-87, with a minute and a half to play.

A Daquioag fumble paved the way for Ross to give San Miguel the lead with a transition layup, but the Beermen held the door open for the Elite with turnovers of their own. Blackwater had three attempts to take the lead in the closing seconds, but Mike Tolomia and Ron Dennison missed their layups, and a Don Trollano jump shot bounced off the rim before Von Pessumal finally secured the rebound with four seconds left .

“I’m so lucky to have been able to bring in Von Pessumal, and he had that crucial rebound on Blackwater’s last possession,” Austria said.

Pessumal could only make one of two free throws to set the final score, but San Miguel survived when Tolomia’s attempt at a game-winning triple missed the mark.

Marcio Lassiter had 12 points and Cabagnot finished with 11, as SMB’s central players saw important minutes. The Brewers have a day off before returning to action Thursday against Phoenix Super LPG.

Daquioag led Blackwater with 20 points, while Tolomina added 17 markers and Trollano had 10. But they cooled off after a hot start and shot just 33% from the field. The Elite also missed Paul Desiderio for injury and Mac Belo for back spasms.

Nonetheless, Blackwater can still take some positives away from the game as they welcomed second overall pick Maurice Shaw after he also missed several of his assignments due to back spasms.