PBA: San Miguel squeaks past Magnolia for fourth straight win

San Miguel extended its winning streak to four after escaping Magnolia, 94-92, in the PBA Philippine Cup on Friday at the Ynares Center in Montalban, Rizal.

The Hotshots were leading 88-84 with less than two minutes remaining before Don Trollano completed a three-point play to cut the deficit to one. Trollano then drilled a four-pointer to give the Beermen a 91-88 lead.

A split by June Mar Fajardo off a Mark Barroca foul extended the gap, while Paul Lee’s four-point attempt missed.

Lee later fouled CJ Perez, sending him to the line, where he sank both free throws.

Jerom Lastimosa then tried his own four-pointer but missed, before Chris Koon knocked down a four-pointer to bring Magnolia within two, 94-92, with six seconds left.

Perez was sent to the line again after a Zav Lucero foul but missed both free throws. Lee then grabbed the rebound and found Lastimosa for one last four-point attempt, but it also missed, sealing the win for San Miguel.

Trollano led the Beermen with 29 points and six rebounds, while Perez added 20. Fajardo was a rebound shy of a double-double with 18 points and nine boards, and Juami Tiongson chipped in 10.

Lucero paced the Hotshots with 20 points and 14 rebounds, while Lastimosa scored 17. Koon and Ian Sangalang contributed 16 and 15 points, respectively.

With the win, the Beermen improved to 4-2, while Magnolia slipped to a similar record.

Scores:

San Miguel 94 – Trollano 29, Perez 20, Fajardo 18, Tiongson 10, Lassiter 8, Cahilig 3, Cruz 2, Ross 2, Brondial 2, Tautuaa 0, Rosales 0.

Magnolia 92 – Lucero 20, Lastimosa 17, Koon 16, Sanagalang 15, Laput 5, Lee 5, Barroca 4, Alfaro 3, Gomez de Liano 3, Dela Rosa 2, Verano 2, Escoto 0.

Quarters: 25-17, 51-40, 69-70, 94-92.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News