Beermen close in on title, frustrate Hotshots in Game 4

MANILA, Philippines — San Miguel Beer inched closer to an unprecedented fourth straight Philippine Cup title after holding off Magnolia, 84-80, Wednesday night at the Big Dome.

Arwind Santos botched a jump shot that would’ve given the Beermen breathing room in the final minute of the game. But after a failed inbounds play by the Hotshots, he made sure his trip back to the line would be productive.

“We all know that this game is a do-or-die (game) for Magnolia, and credit to their coaching staff, they were able to come up with a good game plan in defense,” San Miguel head coach Leo Austria said. 

"They shackled us in the first quarter, and they were able to take the tempo of the game,” he continued. "They wanted to outrun us and they succeeded. But my team is focused on this game."

"They were able to limit us on offense. But these players have the heart of champions — they know how to lose, they know how to win,” he emphasized.

San Miguel fell in a nine-point rut in the first half, but a valiant stand by June Mar Fajardo, who earlier in the night was minted Best Player of the Conference, scored nine markers in the third frame. Alex Cabagnot also figured as a steady hand for the Beermen, pacing with 27 points. 

Ian Sangalang of the Hotshots managed to match that Fajardo’s production with nine of his own in the final frame, but Alex Cabagnot, Marcio Lassiter and Matt Ganuelas-Rosser held the fort.

Magnolia had a chance to tie or even steal the game, but Lassiter’s pesky defense proved to be bothersome. Mark Barroca lost the  leather to Santos the game clock expired. A foul by Paul Lee sent the lanky Beermen forward back to the same spot where missed.

Santos’ freebies provided the separation from the Hotshots as it brought his team closer to a historic milestone.

But Austria remains wary of a comeback. After all, he figured in massive one.

"Meron pa silang natitirang hininga. I think everything is possible. Alam niyo naman kung ano ang pinagdaanan namin,” he said, referring to the “Beeracle” of the 2015 Philippine Cup Finals where he and his wards clawed their way back from a 0-3 series deficit to win the title. 

"I think next game we should have a good start for them to give up, but knowing this team, Magnolia? They won’t give up until the last buzzer,” he added.
 
The Beermen will try to stamp their names into history books as the first team to win four consecutive Philippine Cup championships when the series resumes this Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The scores:

SAN MIGUEL 84 – Cabagnot 27, Lassiter 18, Fajardo 16, Santos 13, Ganuelas-Rosser 5, Ross 4, Espinas 1, Heruela 0, Pessumal 0. 

MAGNOLIA 80 – Sangalang 22, Dela Rosa 15, Barroca 14, Lee 9, Reavis 6, Simon 5, Jalalon 4, Ramos 3, Pascual 2, Gamalinda 0. 

Quarters: 14-20; 45-46; 69-64; 84-80.