By JONAS TERRADO
San Miguel Beer overcame the absence of injured import Dez Wells to hold off Blackwater 99-92 in overtime and secure a quarterfinals berth in the PBA Governors’ Cup Wednesday at the Cuneta Astrodome.
The Beermen took advantage of the loss of Elite import Marqus Blakely due to six fouls with 3:18 to go in overtime by scoring eight straight points to pull away and snap a two-game losing streak.
Marcio Lassiter hit back-to-back baskets, June Mar Fajardo scored off a foul by Carl Bryan Cruz and Terrence Romeo converted a lay-in to give SMB a 98-92 lead entering the final minute.
SMB gained solo fourth in the standings with a 6-3 record despite missing Wells, who has yet to recover from an injured left ankle sustained last Oct. 27 against Meralco.
Coach Leo Austria was hoping that Wells would play despite skipping Tuesday’s practice but watched the whole in street clothes.
“We were hoping that he could be able to play this game, but we don’t want to force somebody,” Austria said.
Austria didn’t rule out the possibility of tapping at least a temporary replacement for Wells in time for Saturday’s out-of-town game against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.
“Meron kaming backup but we will know maybe tonight kung may darating,” said Austria, who refused to give further details.
Fajardo finished with 30 points and 13 rebounds, Romeo scored 20 points, Arwind Santos 13 points and nine rebounds and Marcio Lassiter 11 points and seven boards for the Beermen.
Mac Belo scored 25 points in his first game since signing a three-year contract extension to remain with the Elite.
Meantime, defending champion Magnolia welcomed Chris Banchero on a positive note by defeating Phoenix Pulse 97-81.
Banchero finished with 10 points, five rebounds and three assists in 22 minutes to play a key role in the Hotshots’ second straight win that solidified their grip on six spot with a 5-4 record.
“Nangangapa pa yung bata pero ang maganda sa kanya yung binigay niya sa amin na hustle, energy, yung kanyang push ng bola at yung depensa,” said coach Chito Victolero, whose team nabbed Banchero from Alaska in exchange for Robbie Herndon and Rodney Brondial.
Import Romeo Travis produced 20 points, 16 rebounds, eight assists, two steals and two blocks and Ian Sangalang added 17 points and five rebounds for Magnolia, which stayed in the hunt for a top four finish.
Magnolia is a game behind fourth-running San Miguel Beer (6-3) and a half-game below Barangay Ginebra (5-3).
The scores:
First Game
SAN MIGUEL 99 – Fajardo 30, Romeo 20, Santos 13; Lassiter 11, Cabagnot 8, Pessumal 7, Nabong 6, Tautuaa 4, Rosser 0, Ross 0.
BLACKWATER 96 – Belo 25, Blakely 24, Trollano 14, Canaleta 13, Cruz 8, Javier 6, Tolomia 4, Sumang 2, Dario 0, Desiderio 0, Cruz 0, Al-Hussaini 0, Salem 0.
Quarters: 11-16; 34-37; 64-62; 88-88 (Reg); 99-96 (OT).
Second Game
MAGNOLIA 97 – Travis 20, Sangalang 17, Lee 15, Banchero 10, Jalalon 9, Dela Rosa 8, Barroca 7, Melton 6, Pingris 4, Reavis 1.
PHOENIX PULSE 81 – Gee 24, Wright 19, Mallari 13, Perkins 8, Napoles 7, Jazul 4, Garcia 3, Chua 2, Marcelo 1, Intal 0, Dennison 0, Kramer 0.
Quarters: 21-12; 41-31; 69-60; 97-81.
