By NIKOLE JAVIER
Jericho Cruz equaled his career-best play-off record of 30 points as San Miguel Beer repelled Magnolia’s last-gasp effort, 108-98, to seize 3-2 lead in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals series on Sunday, Feb. 12, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Beermen, who dropped the last two games after winning Games 1 and 2 of the best-of-seven title series, made sure they would not lose for a third straight game with an avalanche of 3-point shots late in the first quarter to gain momentum.
It was Cruz who triggered that onslaught and his offensive brilliance somehow rubbed off on other teammates as they erected huge leads along the way.
The last of Cruz’s 8 triples came just at the right time as it repulsed Magnolia’s smoldering comeback that saw the Hotshots pull to within 99-96 after a 6-0 binge.
That sparked another mini run, giving the Beermen enough breathing room.
To complete another stellar showing, the former Adamson star also had eight rebounds, four assists and four steals to emerge as the hero of the night.
Four other Beermen breached the double-digit mark with Bennie Boatwright Jr. finishing with 21 points, six rebounds and four assists.
June Mar Fajardo, who suffered a minor injury in San Miguel’s Game 4 defeat, played with gusto despite occasional pain and finished with 18 points and 15 rebounds.
Simon Enciso, who barely saw action in the last four games of the series, led all scorers in the first half with 12 points to eventually finish with 18 points of his own. Celedonio Trollano added 10 points.
Tyler Bey led all scorers at the final buzzer with 34 points on an equally impressive 5-of-7 shooting from the trifectaville.
