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SMART CLARK GIGA CITY – San Miguel survived a slow start to thwart Blackwater’s unexpected bet on overtime, 90-88, and maintain its winning streak at the PBA Philippine Cup on Tuesday.
Mo Tautuaa had another double-double of 26 points and 14 rebounds for defending champion Beermen, who won for the fourth time in a row to improve at 5-2, bringing them even closer to earning a place in the quarterfinals.
“At 5-2, at least one of our legs is in the quarterfinals,” joked coach Leo Austria afterwards.
Chris Ross finished with just eight points, but scored five of his production in the extra period, including a layup that put the Beermen in front for good, 89-88, with 1:14 to go. The veteran shooting guard also had eight rebounds and three assists.
Blackwater had a chance to regain the lead in the final 16 seconds, but the Elite failed to convert the lead basket as Mike Tolomia, Ron Dennison and Don Trollano missed their shots one after another.
Marcio Lassiter had 12 points, while Alex Cabagnot and Von Pessumal with 11 and 10, respectively, for San Miguel, who was down from the beginning, 25-15,
Former MVP Arwind Santos saw his streak of five consecutive double-double games come to an end with nine points and 13 rebounds.
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Austria later admitted that the team had to adjust by playing in the league’s first morning game at the University of Angeles Foundation gym.
“Luckily the players responded because they know the importance of this game,” said the champion coach after releasing a sigh of relief.
The Elite were led by Ed Daquioag’s 20 points, while Tolomia added 17 and Trollano and Frak Golla with 10 points.
Blackwater lost for the third straight game with a 2-4 record, as it played its first game in 11 days after the league took a short break to comply with additional protocols made by the IATF.
A couple of their previous games were also postponed when the Elite had to be isolated due to an alleged case of COVID-19 within the team.
Scores
Aguasnegras (88) – Daquioag 20, Tolomia 17, Golla 10, Trollano 10, Canaleta 8, Dennison 7, Salem 6, Escoto 5, Sumang 2, Dario, Gabriel 3, Dario 0, Shaw 0, Magat 0.
San Miguel (90) – Tautuaa 26, Lassiter 12, Cabagnot 11, Pessumal 10, Santos 9, Ross 8, Gamalinda 5, Zamar 4, Mamaril 3, Escoto 2.
Quarterscores: 20-27; 41-41; 66-59; 84-84; 90-88.
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