SAN Miguel was quick to atone for a shock loss in a horror season debut, turning back Barangay Ginebra, 99-91, on Sunday in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Christian Standhardinger topscored with 26 points and Ross added 22 points while going 6-of-11 on three-pointers as the Beermen bounced back in a big way after a stunning loss to lowly Columbian.
But the Beermen didn't breathe easy until Marcio Lassiter hit the team's 15th three-pointer of the game at the best possible time, just after a barrage of treys cut what once stood as a 23-point SMB lead to five points, 94-89, late in the fourth quarter.
“I’m so happy for this win. Sleepless nights namin two days after that loss na everybody is expecting us to win that game. I keep on telling the players na there’s no easy team to beat in this league. That’s an indication na lahat ng teams nag-build up,” said San Miguel coach Leo Austria.
“It’s a good thing nakabawi kami ngayon. Sabi nga ni John Cardel (Columbian coach), malaking isda ‘yung nabingwit nila. Mabuti nakabawi kami ngayon,” Austria said.
San Miguel took the victory without new recruit Terrence Romeo, who missed the game after he suffered an ankle sprain against Columbian on Wednesday.
Standhardinger scored 16 points in the first half alone as San Miguel took a 44-35 lead at the break. Ross hit two triples in a 9-0 run that increased the lead to 70-49.
The Beermen's lead reached 23 points after a triple by Von Pessumal, 76-53.
Lassiter finished with 16 points behind a 4-of-9 clip from threes while Pessumal stepped up in the absence of Terrence Romeo and the injured Alex Cabagnot by finishing with 13 points including three triples.
LA Tenorio had 24 points but couldn't save Ginebra from falling to its first loss after an opening-day win over TNT last Sunday.
The scores:
San Miguel 99 – Standhardinger 26, Ross 22, Lassiter 16, Pessumal 13, Fajardo 10, Santos 6, Nabong 6, Zamar 0, Tubid 0.
Ginebra 91 – Tenorio 24, J. Aguilar 20, Slaughter 11, Thompson 9, Devance 6, Teodoro 6, Ferrer 4, Dela Cruz 4, Caguioa 3, Mercado 2, Mariano 2.
Quarters: 20-17; 44-35; 78-57; 99-91.
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