DASMARIÑAS CITY – San Miguel seized a commanding 3-0 lead in the PBA 48th Season Philippine Cup semifinals after beating Rain or Shine, 117-107, on Wednesday at the Dasmarinas City Arena.
CJ Perez, Marcio Lassiter, and Don Trollano nailed the key baskets that kept a rallying Elasto Painters' side at bay in the final quarter as the Beermen moved one win away from punching a ticket to the season-ending finals.
Perez had 23 points and 14 rebounds, Lassiter added 21 points on 5-of-10 shooting from threes, and Trollano also posted a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds for San Miguel, which has lost just two games the entire conference.
Game Four returns to Metro Manila with San Miguel going for the sweep of the series against Rain or Shine at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
San Miguel pulled away midway in the fourth when it clustered six straight points that included a Trollano lay-up after Rain or Shine grabbed a 94-93 lead.
Lassiter hit the dagger three with 1:12 remaining, giving SMB a 112-105 advantage.
Terrence Romeo also made 13 points, all of which in the fourth quarter to also provide a lift for the Beermen with the Elasto Painters still fighting back.
After dominating the first two games of the series, June Mar Fajardo only had 11 points and 11 rebounds, but had a lot of support from his teammates.
“The boys were really composed especially in the last five minutes ng game when the (lead) was going five, four, three. It’s just composure and we knew where to go pagdating sa end game,” said San Miguel coach Jorge Gallent.
“Terrence’s shot went in and Don’s shot went in. That’s a good sign for us,” said Gallent.
Tensions, however, flared in the end game when Romeo took a three-pointer in the final seconds of the game to the dismay of Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao, who confronted the Beermen player after the buzzer.
Beau Belga had 19 points, while Adrian Nocum, Keith Datu, and Jhonard Clarito each scored 14 for the Elasto Painters.
The scores:
San Miguel 117 – Perez 23, Lassiter 21, Trollano 20, Romeo 13, Ross 12, Fajardo 11, Tautuaa 10, Brondial 4, Cruz 3, Enciso 0.
Rain or Shine 107 – Belga 19, Nocum 14, Datu 14, Clarito 14, Caracut 13, Santillan 12, Mamuyac 6, Asistio 6, Norwood 4, Demusis 3, Ildefonso 2.
Quarters: 25-24; 51-47; 91-85; 117-107.
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