San Miguel fends off Meralco rally ahead of QF clash with Converge

San Miguel made sure to get a much-needed boost before its quarterfinals campaign after it fended off a late rally from Meralco, 113-108, in the 2022 PBA Commissioner's Cup on Friday at the PhilSports Arena. 

The defending champions ended the elimination round at 7-5 ahead of their playoffs clash against Converge while Meralco could not complete a comeback win to drop to 4-8. 

The Beermen led by as much as 25 at one point in the third period but the Bolts, who were seeking to end their campaign on a high note, leaned on a huge fourth quarter to threaten San Miguel late. 

They outscored SMB in the final frame, 35 to 19, thanks to a run that pulled them to within three, 111-108, after a Bong Quinto basket with 40 seconds left in the game clock. But two crucial freebies from import Devon Scott gave the Beermen a 113-108 advantage in the final five seconds. 

Scott led San Miguel with 32 points, 13 rebounds, two assists, and one steal while Terrence Romeo poured in 12 markers in his return to the SMB bench. Marcio Lassiter dropped 13 points, including a triple that was the 1,088th of his career which moved him up to No.7 in the all-time list, displacing Arwind Santos (1,087).

KJ McDaniels paced Meralco with 27 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and three blocks while Aaron Black chipped in 21 markers, five boards, and four dimes in the loss.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News