Composure is key for San Miguel in Game 2 win vs Meralco

San Miguel was trailing, 93-89, and Meralco was less than 30 seconds away from taking Game 2 of the PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven finals series.

However, CJ Perez drilled a triple at the 00:22 mark, while seven seconds after Chris Banchero's split, Marcio Lassiter knocked down another triple to steal the game, and even the series, 1-1.

"A very good shot for CJ to bring it down to one and a good shot for Marcio to give us this victory today. Kudos to the two of them," head coach Jorge Gallent said on Friday after their 95-94 win.

"Sobrang crucial kasi nitong Game 2 kaya binigay namin ang 110 percent namin. 'Di siya perfect pero nakuha namin ang panalo and makakapag-adjust pa kami sa mistakes namin," Perez added.

For San Miguel, however, composure in the endgame was the key in winning the said thriller.

"Kineep ko lang talaga composure and sabi ko nga, hindi perfect lagi. Magmintis man ako pero titira ako," Perez said.

"May nagsasabi na bwakaw ako pero bwakaw talaga ako, 'yun talaga 'yun. I'm just trying to help my team and every game, binibigay ko lang 110% ko."

Gallent, however, is not surprised with what happened.

"CJ has always been like that for the past two to three seasons. When we needed baskets, we're not hesitant to go to him and Marcio so before the play, when we were down by four, it was either him or Marcio," he said.

"We're not hesitant to let them shoot the ball especially coming in crunch time because Marcio has proven himself and CJ has also proven himself and now they just proved it again that they are clutch players and they can shoot a three when it matters the most."

Despite the win, San Miguel won't rest on its laurels yet as they are aware of Meralco's strengths.

"Meralco's a tough team. They grind hard and their energy is really high. We just have to match their energy," Gallent added. "We really have to play 48 minutes of basketball."

Meralco head coach Luigi Trillo, meanwhile, gave credit to the Beermen but promised they will be better come Game 3.

"They made big shots. CJ, Marcio hitting those huge shots. I thought we played okay. We could've played better. We have to match their intensity too," Trillo said.

"It's a seven-game series. We'll be ready [come] Game 3."

Game 3 of the finals will be on Sunday.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News