Different script, same story.
Finishing with a vengeance, San Miguel Beer continued its dominance of rival TNT KaTropa after pulling off an astounding come-from-behind 121-110 triumph following a terrible start to carve a 1-0 series lead in their PBA Commissioner’s Cup best-of-three quarterfinals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Monday night.
Renaldo Balkman was a beast for the Beermen, pouring in monster numbers of 36 points and 16 rebounds, while June Mar Fajardo had the same kind of night, adding 27 points and 13 boards.
Marcio Lassiter was just as big for San Miguel, scoring 26 points, to go with six rebounds and four assists.
San Miguel can finish off TNT KaTropa in Game 2 tomorrow night as it can go for a sweep to advance to the semifinals.
The victor of this series will face the winner of the quarterfinal between No. 2 Alaska and No. 7 Magnolia in a best-of-seven semifinals showdown.
The Beermen, who trailed by 19 points at the end of the first period and 17 midway the third, weathered the early storm before slowly but surely banking on their championship muscles in the second half to turn the tides completely and finish strong.
A decisive 13-0 bomb in the waning minutes of the final frame enabled the defending champions to complete their breakthrough and snatch the win away emphatically, showing its full championship mettle.
The game was tied at 106-all with over five minutes left and it seemed like it was headed to a wild finish, but San Miguel suddenly decided to break it open late.
The Beermen, using their definitive run, suddenly held a 119-106 cushion after two free throws from Balkman with 1:15 remaining.
The Tropang Texters didn’t have an answer the moment the Beermen took charge in crunch time.
It also didn’t help that TNT import Joshua Smith fouled out with 3:40 remaining.