San Miguel Beer ousts NorthPort, arranges semis duel with TNT

San Miguel Beermen arranged a semifinals duel with top seed TNT Tropang Giga in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup after a 100-95 victory against NorthPort Batang Pier on Thursday in Bacolor, Pampanga.

The win closed out their best-of-three quarterfinals series, which San Miguel took in two games but not without a tough challenge from the feisty NorthPort squad.

The Beermen had to hold off the Batang Pier late in the fourth quarter of Game 2 after the wards of head coach Pido Jarencio ignited for an 8-0 run to close the gap at 89-85, with SMB still in the lead.

Lassiter, who was shooting 80 percent from beyond the arc, then buried a triple to lead a 7-6 exchange which maintained SMB's margin, 96-91.

Pressed for time, the Batang Pier committed a series of fouls that sent CJ Perez, Chris Ross, and Lassiter to the line for four-straight points off free throws, which sealed the deal for the Beermen.

June Mar Fajardo led SMB with a double-double output of 12 points and 12 rebounds while Lassiter carved out 15 markers, including four three-pointers.

Greg Slaughter paced NorthPort with 27 points, 12 rebounds, and three blocks while rookie Jamie Malonzo and Sidney Onwubere each finished with 17 and 14 markers.

The Beermen edged the Batang Pier in Game 1 after the returning Alex Cabagnot delivered the game-winner in the dying seconds, 88-87.

San Miguel will now gear up for their showdown against TNT, who recently showed the door to defending champion Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings.

The return to the semifinal stage will be monumental for San Miguel after missing it in the previous conference, where they wasted a twice-to-beat bonus against Meralco in the quarterfinals.

San Miguel won the All-Filipino title for five-straight years before Ginebra completed the feat last year against TNT.

Scores:

San Miguel 100 - Perez 21, Tautuaa 17, Lassiter 15, Fajardo 12, Romeo 11, Santos 11, Ross 11, Cabagnot 2, Pessumal 0,

NorthPort 95 - Slaughter 27, Malonzo 17, Onwubere 14, Bolick 12, Taha 9, Balanza 8, Rike 5, Doliguez 3, Ferrer 0, Elorde 0

Quarter scores: 17-19, 46-39, 74-66, 100-95

—MGP, GMA News