Despite the loss, San Miguel emerged the No. 1 team in the single round elims and will face RCBC again in Saturday’s knockout semis. The STAR, managed by Kevin Belmonte and supported by Adidas, finished second and will face two-time Bibato champion ABS-CBN.
With Samboy Lim, Allan Caidic, Art Dela Cruz, Siot Tanquincen and Hector Calma opting to sit it out, playing coach Ira Maniquis stepped up and came away with 27 points, highlighted by five triples. But he failed to draw the much-needed support from his teammates, enabling the RCBC quintet to seize control from the second quarter en route to victory.
The STAR found a tough rival in RFM-Swift and even fell by three points, 56-59, at the end of the third. But Alfred Bartolome took over in the final quarter to power the team to victory.
ABS-CBN, on the other hand, also had to endure United Coconut Planters Bank’s serious challenge before prevailing, 68-51. — Joey Villar