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The San Miguel Brewers struggled to get rid of Terrafirma Dyip for most of the game, but did enough to clinch a 105-98 victory in the PBA Philippine Cup at the AUF Arena in Pampanga on Monday.
The battle-tested Brewers showed poise down the stretch to score their first bubble win and improve to a 2-2 win-loss record.
Alex Cabagnot, Arwind Santos and Marcio Lassiter steadied the ship as the Dyip threatened to disrupt the Beermen and score a victory from behind. But it was Mo Tautuaa who did most of the damage for the Beermen in an excellent performance that made up for his lousy play against TNT Tropang Giga.
Charged with foul trouble last time out, Tautuaa did his best and finished with 25 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists. Santos scored 20 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, while Lassiter had 18 built on 3 triples. Pessumal also passed, chipping in 17 points off the bench, including key baskets early in the fourth quarter to keep Dyip at bay.
“It feels good to finally win and overcome the hurdle,” Tautuaa said during the exit interview.
SMB head coach Leo Austria was also happy during the post-match press conference.
“I’m finally here (in the press room). I thought it would be a long time before I could go back,” he said. “We don’t want to be 0-3 in the bubble. Fortunately, we can get this important win for ourselves. I’m grateful to the players for their sense of urgency. We don’t have Terrence though.” (Romeo), the other players stepped forward. “
Romeo was sent home after suffering a shoulder dislocation in his game against TNT. Without June Mar Fajardo and Romeo, the Beermen didn’t look as dominant as they were in the last five All-Filipino conferences.
CJ Pérez also made things difficult for San Miguel, scoring 20 points including three acrobatic layouts, to go with 9 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals.
Rashawn McCarthy scored 15 points for Dyip, who was listless in three games.
THE SCORES
San Miguel 105 – Tautuaa 25, Santos 20, Lassiter 18, Pessumal 17, Zamar 11, Cabagnot 8, Alolino 2, Ross 2, Gamalinda 2, Escoto 0.
Terra Firma 98 – Perez 20, McCarthy 15, Tiongson 11, Adams 9, Cell 9, Ramos 9, Khobuntin 7, Cahilig 6, Faundo 5, Gabayni 5, Camson 2, Calvo 0, Agovida 0, Balagasay 0.
Scoring quarters: 32-24, 55-51, 75-73,105-98
EXTRA JARS
– Six-time reigning MVP June Mar Fajardo supported the Beermen as part of the virtual crowd.
– Terrafirma edged SMB on bench points, 49-23. Juami Tiongson and Roosevelt Adams combined for 20.
NEXT GAMES
SMB – vs Alaska on October 24
Terrafirma – vs NorthPort on October 24
