MANILA, Philippines, December 18 ------ San Miguel leaned on a strong finish anchored by Ivan Aska and Jericho Cruz to turn back TNT in a 98-93 win in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Ynares Center in Pasig. Aska and Cruz combined for 14 points in the fourth quarter as the Beermen fought back from a 10-point deficit to post their second straight win and fifth overall in eight games.
The Tropang Giga still held an eight-point, 77-69 advantage early in the final salvo before they fell apart, with San Miguel outscoring them 29-18 in the period. Aska finished with 29 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals, while CJ Perez produced 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals. Perez also came up clutch, draining the fadeaway jumper that pulled the Beermen ahead at 94-93 with under two minutes left and coming up with a crucial steal that denied TNT a shot at the equalizer. Down 96-93, the Tropang Giga saw Perez tip away an inbound pass by Kib Montalbo before Cruz sealed the victory with a pair of free throws.
Just like his endgame heroics in their 95-82 win over Barangay Ginebra last Friday, Cruz saved the best for last as he scattered 7 of his 9 points in the fourth quarter, while Terrence Romeo chalked up 14 points and 3 assists. Mo Tautuaa added 9 points and 7 rebounds in the win. TNT star import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson got limited to 26 points on an 8-of-26 shooting after exploding for 42 points in their 105-96 victory over Blackwater last Friday. Although Hollis-Jefferson made up for his shooting struggles with 15 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals, the Tropang Giga shot themselves in the foot with crucial turnovers and missed three-pointers inside the last minute. A turnover by Hollis-Jefferson allowed Aska to extend the lead for San Miguel to 96-93 and Montalbo turned the ball over in the following play. Calvin Oftana put up 27 points and 13 rebounds for TNT, which fell to an even 4-4.
The Scores
San Miguel 98 – Aska 25, Perez 20, Romeo 14, Tautuaa 9, Cruz 9, Lassiter 6, Brondial 6, Ross 5, Trollano 4.
TNT 93 – Oftana 27, Hollis-Jefferson 26, Castro 12, Khobuntin 11, Montalbo 7, Ponferrada 6, Ganuelas-Rosser 4, Reyes 0, Tungcab 0, Galinato 0, Aurin 0.
Quarters: 22-29, 45-52, 69-75, 98-93.
The Scores (1st Game)
Meralco 105 – Lofton 30, Banchero 21, Maliksi 20, Quinto 13, Newsome 11, Black 4, Rios 3, Pascual 3, Almazan 0, Torres 0, Bates 0.
Converge 99 – Arana 25, Stockton 21, Wilson 13, Balanza 11, Winston 10, Ambohot 6, Santos 5, Racal 4, Nieto 2, Melecio 2, Delos Santos 0.
Quarters: 27-18, 55-37, 80-61, 105-99.
Source: rappler.com
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