PBA: San Miguel gets away in tight semis opener vs. Rain or Shine

Marcio Lassiter got his offense going early before his teammates took care of business the rest of the way as San Miguel fended off Rain or Shine, 101-98, to draw first blood in their best-of-seven semifinals affair on Friday in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Lassiter dropped all of his 16 points in the first half while the rest of the crew led by June Mar Fajardo, Don Trollano, Terrence Romeo, and CJ Perez put the finishing kick as the Beermen took a 1-0 lead despite a gutsy stand from the Elasto Painters. 

Lasiter erupted for four triples in the first two frames to give San Miguel a slim 49-47 lead, but the Elasto Painters came out of the dugout with fire, with Beau Belga and Santi Santillan burying triples to seize the lead at 60-58 in the third. 

The Beermen, however, have always found the right answer as they headed to the payoff period carrying an 82-77 cushion. 

The Elasto Painters kept it close the whole time as Belga sank two freebies to chop their deficit to just four, 84-88. Romeo then nailed a three-pointer before Perez drew an and-one play for a 97-89 advantage. 

Rain or Shine would trim that to four anew, 95-99, but a Trollano drive to the rim sent the defending champions to a 101-95 lead in the final 2:16 of the fourth. 

Andrei Caracut's split from the line made it a one-possession ball game, 98-101, but he missed out on a desperate deep triple as San Miguel got away with the victory. 

Fajardo took charge with a double-double of 23 points and 11 rebounds alongside five assists, three blocks, and a steal while Trollano and Romeo poured in 17 and 14 markers off the bench. Perez chipped in 13 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and a steal. 

Gian Mamuyac paced Rain or Shine with 20 points, seven rebounds, and two steals, while Belga and Jhoard Clarito chimed in with 17 and 13 markers apiece. 

San Miguel and Rain or Shine will return to action on Sunday with the Beermen looking to secure a 2-0 lead while the Elasto Painters will seek an equalizer. 

Scores:

San Miguel 101 – Fajardo 23, Trollano 17, Lassiter 16, Romeo 14, Perez 13, Tautuaa 7, Brondial 6, Teng 3, Cruz 2, Ross 0, Enciso 0.

Rain or Shine 98 – Mamuyac 20, Belga 17, Clarito 13, Santillan 13, Caracut 9, Demusis 6, Datu 6, Borboran 5, Ildefonso 4, Asistio 3, Norwood 2, Nocum 0, Paredes 0.

Quarters: 31-24, 49-44, 82-78, 101-98.

—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News