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The Beermen overcame a 16-point deficit to take a 2-0 lead in the best-five semifinal series against the As.
UNSTOPPABLE. Renaldo Balkman finishes with 31 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists while San Miguel Beermen wins a victory in the PBA 2018 Common Cup final. Photo by PBA Images
MANILA, Philippines – Not even a deficit 16 points could prevent San Miguel from getting closer to the 2018 PBA Common Cup final.
Beermen resisted the aggressive Alaska Aces with a furious assault in the second half, 105-94, to take a lead 2-0 in their best-of-5 semifinal series at the Araneta Coliseum on Monday, July 16th. 19659006] Limited to 8 points in the first two quarters, Renaldo Balkman scattered 23 of his 31 points in the second half as defending champion San Miguel moved to a victory in the final.
San Miguel shot 41-51 after the first half before taking the Aces, 38-22, in the 3rd quarter. Balkman and Chris Ross combined for 25 points to turn the tables and head into the final frame with a 79-74 advantage.
Alaska kept it close in the 4th quarter, 87-88, but the Beermen erected a 9-0 run, highlighted by a Mar Fajardo 3-point game in June, to ensure victory.
Fajardo came close to painting with 21 points, 18 rebounds and two interceptions. Ross also had 16 points and 4 assists, while Alex Cabagnot had 14 points, 8 assists, 4 steals and 3 assists in the win.
The Aces were healed to tie the series as they led 41-25 in the second quarter, only to witness Beermen's powerful showcase which explains why they have won 6 of the last 10 PBA championships.
Diamon Simpson scored 19 points, 15 rebounds, 6 blocks, 3 steals and 2 assists, but that was not enough to maintain Alaska, which still lacks speed to Chris Banchero and Calvin Abueva.
Simon Enciso scored 19 points with 6 assists, Vic Manuel had 15 points and 5 rebounds, while Jeron Teng added 13 points, 3 assists, 3 rebounds, and 3 steals in the losing effort.
Match 3 will take place on Wednesday, July 18 at the same location.
Scores:
San Miguel (105): Balkan 31, Fajardo 21, Ross 16, Cabagnot 14, Lassiter 8, Santos 5, Nabong 5, Heruela 3, Standhardinger 2
Alaska (94): Simpson 19, Enciso 19, Manuel 15, Teng 13, Casio 12, Th 6, Cruz 5, Galliguez 3, Racal 2, Exciminiano 0, Baclao 0
Trimestri: 18-29, 41-52, 79-74, 105 – 94
– Rappler.com
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