PBA: Titan Ultra survives late San Miguel rally to break through in Commissioner’s Cup

Titan Ultra withstood a late rally from San Miguel Beer to secure a 119-112 victory in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Saturday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

Titan appeared in full control after building an 83-62 lead late in the third quarter, but San Miguel mounted a strong comeback in the final period to threaten the result.

Trailing 110-97 with five minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Beermen unleashed a 9-0 run to cut the deficit to just four, 110-106. Pao Javillonar halted the surge, but June Mar Fajardo quickly responded with a layup to keep San Miguel within striking distance.

Cade Flores and Joshua Munzon then delivered consecutive baskets to steady Titan, but Don Trollano answered with a four-pointer to trim the gap to 116-112 with under a minute remaining.

Titan ultimately sealed the win at the free-throw line, as Munzon split his charities off a CJ Perez foul before Fran Yu knocked down his attempts following another foul by Trollano. The Beermen failed to convert on their final three-point attempt.

Munzon led the Giant Risers with 29 points, five assists, four steals, and three rebounds to anchor their first win after opening the conference with two losses. Import Earl Gilmore added 28 points, 13 rebounds, three steals, an assist, and a block, while Flores chipped in 13 points.

Perez paced San Miguel with 27 points, seven assists, three rebounds, and two steals, while Trollano added 21 points. Mo Tautuaa contributed 18 markers, and Fajardo registered a double-double with 15 points and 17 rebounds, along with two assists, a steal, and a block as the Beermen opened their campaign with a loss. Import Marcus Lee finished with four points.

Scores:

Titan Ultra 119 – Munzon 29, Gilmore 28, Flores 13, Yu 9, Javillonar 8, Ular 6, Sajonia 5, Balanza 4, Omega 4, Cuntapay 4, Pessumal 4, Melecio 3, Dionisio 2, Sangco 0.

San Miguel 112 – Perez 27, Trollano 21, Tautuaa 18, Fajardo 15, Teng 9, Rosales 7, Lassiter 6, Lee 4, Tiongson 3, Brondial 2, Cahilig 0, Miller 0.

Quarters: 28-18, 52-49, 93-75, 119-112.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News