METHODICALLY, defending champion San Miguel Beer is back in the semifinals.
The heavily favored Beermen qualified for the next phase after regaining order in the fourth quarter, just in time after blowing a double-digit lead to oust NLEX, 114-110, in the quarterfinals of the 2016 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup Friday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Elijah Millsap was in beast mode, pouring in a team-high 39 to backstop San Miguel, which capitalized on its twice-to-beat advantage, while getting a lot of backing from June Mar Fajardo, Marcio Lassiter and Alex Cabagnot.
Fajardo added 17 points, while Lassiter and Cabagnot each chipped in 14.
The title defense continues for San Miguel as it will now await its opponent in the best-of-seven semifinals. That can either be Barangay Ginebra or Alaska, two of its fiercest longtime rivals.
San Miguel Beer leaned on its championship experience and poise down the stretch to shrug off the pesky Road Warriors after losing its double-digit lead in the second half.
The game was still hanging in the balance at 100-all with under five minutes left and the Beermen took control once again to take it away.
A vital 10-2 run in the waning minutes capped by a closing triple from Lassiter gave San Miguel a safe 110-102 distance with just 1:10 remaining.
The Road Warriors made a last-ditch effort with a 5-0 run inside the last 20 seconds to cut it to just two, 112-110, but it was just a little too late for them as Millsap’s two free throws with two seconds left sealed the deal.
San Miguel led by 15 points, 63-48, at the half after a rousing second period. It also held the same amount of lead in the third multiple times before NLEX clawed its way back to make it anyone’s game in the payoff period.
However, the Beermen kept their composure to finish off the Road Warriors.
Millsap, Lassiter and Fajardo were already right on point from the get-go.
The trio already combined for 40 first half points as they torched the Road Warriors from all over the floor with their effective offensive onslaught.
NLEX’s season once again ended in disappointment as it had another quarterfinals exit.
The Road Warriors were led by Henry Walker’s monster numbers of 45 points and 17 rebounds, though these clearly weren’t enough for NLEX to force a decider.
The scores:
SAN MIGUEL 114—Millsap 39, Fajardo 17, Lassiter 14, Cabagnot 14, Santos 11, Espinas 7, Tubid 6, Ross 4, De Ocampo 2.
NLEX 110—Walker 45, Villanueva J. 17, Lanete 13, Taulava 13, Anthony 11, Villanueva E. 6, Khobuntin 3, Alas 2, Baracael 0, Monfort 0.
Quarterscores: 24-23, 63-48, 86-82, 114-110
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