Meralco ends San Miguel Beer’s five-year PBA Philippine Cup title run

It was the end of an era as the Meralco Bolts eliminated five-time defending champions San Miguel Beer, 90-68, despite having a twice-to-beat disadvantage in the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals on Sunday.

The Bolts made a 32-point rampage against SMB's 19 in the third period to end the frame at 75-50. An Aaron Black layup at the 10:49 mark of the final quarter gave the Bolts its biggest lead, 80-52.

Meralco had the upper hand, 43-31, at the end of the first half after limiting the Beermen to just 11 points in the opening quarter.

Cliff Hodge and Baser Amer chipped in 14 points apiece for the Bolts.

Marcio Lassiter and Mo Tautuaa listed 20 markers each in the Beermen's final game in the PBA bubble.

The Bolts will face Barangay Ginebra in the best-of-five semifinals which will start on Wednesday.

Box scores:

Meralco 90 - Hodge 14, Amer 14, Hugnatan 12, Maliksi 11, Quinto 9, Newsome 9, Black 9, Almazan 8, Jamito 2, Jackson 2, Caram 0 , Salva 0, Pinto 0, Jose 0.

San Miguel 68 - Lassiter 20, Tautuaa 20, Santos 10, Ross 7, Cabagnot 6, Zamar 3, Alolino 2, Pessumal 0, Comboy 0, Gamalinda 0, Escoto 0.

— Justin Kenneth Carandang/BM, GMA News