PBA: San Miguel hikes unbeaten run to 8-0, fends off Magnolia

MANILA, Philippines–At the edge of what looked like its first loss in the PBA Philippine Cup, San Miguel’s top gun in the conference and its veteran playmaker came through down the stretch to seal a 98-91 triumph over corporate sibling but fierce rival Magnolia on Friday night.

Chris Ross and CJ Perez scored back-to-back triples to take the fight out of tough-as-nails Hotshots, helping the powerhouse club to their eighth straight victory in the tournament where they are the defending champions.

“We just couldn’t sit around on offense against Magnolia, because whenever they deny you, that ruins your offense,” said coach Jorge Gallent after the game at Smart Araneta Coliseum. “Which the player did tonight: Countering the denials of Magnolia.”

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Perez, who leads the Beermen in scoring this conference, led the way with 25 points that went with five assists, while Ross chipped in 15. Marcio Lassiter added 12 more while Mo Tautuaa 10 in the effort that put the squad closer to a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals.

San Miguel registered the first 8-0 run by a PBA team in a decade. TNT was the last to do it during the 2014 Commissioner’s Cup, sweeping the nine-game elimination round and sustaining that untouchable form until the semifinals for a total of 13 victories only to conk out against San Mig Coffee in the championship series.

Down 20 at one juncture, Magnolia pulled within striking range late in the final quarter behind the heroics of Paul Lee and Aris Dionisio who had 23 and 22 points, respectively.

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Ian Sangalang, who is looking like his old self, added 17 in the comeback try that was turned back when it mattered most.

San Miguel will try to extend its winning ways against NLEX–another side eager to tab a playoff armor–on April 28.

Magnolia, which saw its four-game slide snap at the hands of its vaunted sister team, will try to get back to the win column against desperate Meralco also on April 28.

PBA SCORES

SAN MIGUEL 98 – Perez 25, Ross 15, Lassiter 12, Tautuaa 10, Fajardo 9, Brondial 9, Cruz 9, Romeo 6, Trollano 3, Manuel 0

MAGNOLIA 91– Lee 23, Dionisio 22, Sangalang 17, Mendoza 8, Barroca 9, Laput 6, Tratter 5,Dela Rosa 1, Escoto 0, Balanza 0, Eriobu 0, Abueva 0

QUARTERS: 24-11, 51-40, 70-64, 98-91.