Meralco deals San Miguel its sole elims loss, claims QF slot

Meralco spoiled San Miguel's bid for an elimination round sweep as it took down the Beermen, 95-92, on Saturday in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Batangas City Coliseum.

The Bolts pulled away in the third period as it led by 17, 82-65, with 1:12 left in the said frame.

San Miguel, however, tried to claw its way back from the double-digit deficit and came within two, 86-84, at the 6:11 mark of the final frame. Chris Newsome drilled a triple, followed by a Cliff Hodge layup as Meralco led by seven.

The Bolts were leading 93-86, but a Don Trollano layup and a Perez trey cut again SMB's deficit to just two. Freebies from Chris Banchero gave Meralco breathing room before a split by June Mar Fajardo off a Newsome foul put San Miguel within three.

Perez failed to connect his three-point attempt in the Beermen's final play, allowing Meralco to take the win and punch a ticket to the quarterfinals.

Hodge had 20 points and 13 rebounds, while Allein Maliksi had 19 points as the Bolts extended its winning streak to three and capped the elimination round with a 6-5 card.

Fajardo had 23 points and 19 boards, while Trollano and Jericho Cruz had 14 points each in San Miguel's only loss in the elimination round.

Meanwhile in Pasig, Blackwater's (4-7) campaign in the All-Filipino conference ended on a high note as it defeated the Phoenix (3-8), 102-83.

Scores:

First game:

Blackwater 102 – Tungcab 19, Rosario 17, Nambatac 16, Guinto 11, Escoto 10, Hill 8, Casio 3, Chua 3, Suerte 2, Kwekuteye 2, David 0, Jopia 0.

Phoenix 83 – Perkins 22, Alejandro 14, Lalata 9, Tuffin 7, Mocon 7, Rivero 7, Camacho 6, Verano 6, Salado 3, Jazul 2, Garcia 0.

Quarters: 18-11, 30-36, 65-69, 102-83.

Second game:

Meralco 95 – Hodge 20, Maliksi 19, Newsome 17, Quinto 12, Banchero 10, Caram 6, Almazan 6, Bates 5, Pascual 0, Dario 0, Pasaol 0, Torres 0.

San Miguel – Fajardo 23, Cruz 14, Trollano 14, Lassiter 9, Perez 8, Romeo 8, Enciso 6, Tautuaa 4, Brondial 4, Manuel 2, Teng 0, Ross 0.

Quarters: 27-20, 52-44, 82-66, 95-92.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News