Games Tuesday (Smart Araneta Coliseum)
4:15 p.m. – NLEX vs Meralco
7 p.m. – Star vs Alaska
Games Wednesday (Smart Araneta Coliseum)
4:15 p.m. – Blackwater vs Talk ’N Text
7 p.m. – Globalport vs Ginebra
Veteran forward Arwind Santos converted the go-ahead basket with six-tenths of a second left to help defending champion San Miguel Beer escape with a 106-105 win over Barako Bull in the Smart Bro PBA Philippine Cup last night at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City.
The 6-foot-4 Santos got the loose ball off a missed jumpe by Marcio Lassiter and made a looping shot inside the shaded lane over the outstretched arm of Barako Bull’s Rodney Brondial.
Santos, sticking his tongue out as he raced towards the other end of the court, was quickly mobbed by teammates to celebrate his heroics, which put San Miguel up by a single point.
Upon review of the referees, the Energy were given 0.6 second on the game clock, but the desperation three-point shot of RR Garcia was way of its target as the final buzzer sounded.
Prior to the basket by Santos, the 5-foot-10 Garcia buried a trey to put Barako Bull up by a point, 105-104, with 10 seconds left to play.
The win extended the Beermen’s win streak to three games and allowed the franchise to move again to solo lead in the team standings with a 5-1 record as it broke free from a tie with Rain or Shine and Alaska – currently with similar records of 4-1.
As for Barako Bull, the setback snapped a two-game win streak as the Energy now carry an even 3-3 slate.
“A one-point win is still a win, tatanggapin ko ng buong puso,” said San Miguel mentor Leo Austria, whose team’s last defeat was an 84-99 loss to Rain or Shine last Nov. 4.
“I’m happy to see Arwind making that winning shot. Arwind is not healthy ‘coz nagti-tighten yung calf and thigh niya. I hope this game gives us a lesson, every team dito kelangan pag-ukulan ng tamang panahon,” added Austria.
Santos finished with 15 points, while reigning back-to-back MVP June Mar Fajardo contributed 28 points and 20 rebounds. Alex Cabagnot had 12 points while Lassiter and Gabby Espinas added 11 points apiece.
Josh Urbiztondo and Willie Wilson led the Energy with 19 and 18 points, respectively. Barako Bull shot 17-of-36 (47%) from three-point territory with Urbiztondo and Mic Pennisi accounting for five each.
Scores:
First Game
SAN MIGUEL 106 – Fajardo 28, Tubid 16, Santos 15, Cabagnot 12, Espinas 11, Lassiter 11, Lutz 4, Ross 3, Arana 2, De Ocampo 2, Heruela 2, Reyes 0.
BARAKO BULL 105 – Urbiztondo 19, Wilson 18, Pennisi 15, Garcia 14, Baracael 9, Brondial 7, Fortuna 6, Monfort 6, Intal 5, Lanete 4, Caperal 2, Miranda 0.
Quarters: 28-18, 48-55, 76-80, 106-105.
Second Game
GINEBRA 80 – Slaughter 16, Devance 14, Aguilar 12, Cruz 10, Caguioa 7, Ellis 6, Mercado 4, Salva 4, Marcelo 3, Tenorio 2, Thompson 2.
MAHINDRA 76 – Dehesa 17, Ramos 13, Pascual 12, Yee 10, Bagatsing 8, Guinto 6, Revilla 6, Hubalde 2, Pinto 2, Alvarez 0, Canaleta 0.
Quarters: 21-15, 38-42, 57-60, 80-76.