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DEFENDING champions San Miguel Beermen held on in the final game to escape with a throbbing 90-88 overtime victory over Blackwater Elite in the PBA season 45 Philippine Cup at the Angeles University Foundation Sports and Cultural Center ( AUF) in Angeles, Pampanga on Tuesday.
The Beermen avoided the elite ax in the league’s first morning game to extend their winning streak to four games and improve to a 5-2 win-loss for third place in the team’s standings with four games remaining in the league. Single round robin elimination.
Mo Tautuaa reaffirmed his dominance with another double-double performance of 26 points and 14 rebounds, proving his worth for the Brewers in the absence of six-time MVP June Mar Fajardo.
SMB prevented three potential Elite game winners Mike Tolomia, Ron Dennison and Don Trollano in the final 20 seconds of the game to maintain their fourth consecutive victory inside the PBA bubble.
“It’s an ugly game, but as long as we’re winning, there is no problem with it,” said SME mentor Leo Austria.
The Beermen had their break in the final two minutes of the overtime period when veteran Chris Ross scored 5 points in a 6-0 explosion that erased the 4-point deficit and put them ahead by 2 points, 90-88. The good thing for the brewers is that the elites couldn’t capitalize on their opportunities in the final seconds.
“It is very difficult to play a morning game, the body clock of the players has not yet adjusted. So we are lucky to be able to win this game. We are lucky that the taking of Tolomia with the Ave Maria did not enter, ”Austria said.
“I give credit to the players. Although it is difficult for them to wake up earlier and touch a [morning] game, they showed their commitment and we can carry it out, “added Austria.
Alex Cabagnot, Von Pessumal and Marcio Lassiter finished in double figures with 11, 12 and 10, respectively.
Tolomia missed a possible winner of the rainbow country game when the bell rang and the brewers sighed in relief. Blackwater, which fell to 2-4, got 20 points from Ed Daquiaog and 17 markers from Mike Tolomia.
Blackwater played without Mac Belo, who sat down due to a spasm in his back.
The game between San Miguel and Blackwater opened Tuesday’s quadruple header, which was the first in league history, designed so the league could still finish on schedule.
On Wednesday, Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (4-1) will face wrestlers NLEX Road Warriors (2-5), serving as the starter in another quadruple billing. The Elasto Painters aim to solidify their place in the Top 4, while the Road Warriors hope to reach the Top 8 by the quarterfinals.
The Elite will play back to back when they face the Meralco Bolts (3-3) at 1pm, league leader TNT Tropang Giga (5-1) will face Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok (2-4) in 4 pm, and the Barangay Geneva Gin Kings (4-2) will face Northport Batang Pier (1-4) in the main game at 6:45 pm
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