Marcio Lassiter bought his offense going early earlier than his teammates took care of enterprise the remainder of the way in which as San Miguel fended off Rain or Shine, 101-98, to attract first blood of their best-of-seven semifinals affair on Friday within the PBA Philippine Cup on the Mall of Asia Enviornment.
Lassiter dropped all of his 16 factors within the first half whereas the remainder of the crew led by June Mar Fajardo, Don Trollano, Terrence Romeo, and CJ Perez put the ending kick because the Beermen took a 1-0 lead regardless of a gutsy stand from the Elasto Painters.
Lasiter erupted for 4 triples within the first two frames to present San Miguel a slim 49-47 lead, however the Elasto Painters got here out of the dugout with hearth, with Beau Belga and Santi Santillan burying triples to grab the lead at 60-58 within the third.
The Beermen, nonetheless, have at all times discovered the fitting reply as they headed to the payoff interval carrying an 82-77 cushion.
The Elasto Painters stored it shut the entire time as Belga sank two freebies to cut their deficit to simply 4, 84-88. Romeo then nailed a three-pointer earlier than Perez drew an and-one play for a 97-89 benefit.
Rain or Shine would trim that to 4 anew, 95-99, however a Trollano drive to the rim despatched the defending champions to a 101-95 lead within the remaining 2:16 of the fourth.
Andrei Caracut’s break up from the road made it a one-possession ball sport, 98-101, however he missed out on a determined deep triple as San Miguel bought away with the victory.
Fajardo took cost with a double-double of 23 factors and 11 rebounds alongside 5 assists, three blocks, and a steal whereas Trollano and Romeo poured in 17 and 14 markers off the bench. Perez chipped in 13 factors, seven rebounds, three assists, and a steal.
Gian Mamuyac paced Rain or Shine with 20 factors, seven rebounds, and two steals, whereas Belga and Jhoard Clarito chimed in with 17 and 13 markers apiece.
San Miguel and Rain or Shine will return to motion on Sunday with the Beermen seeking to safe a 2-0 lead whereas the Elasto Painters will search an equalizer.
Scores:
San Miguel 101 – Fajardo 23, Trollano 17, Lassiter 16, Romeo 14, Perez 13, Tautuaa 7, Brondial 6, Teng 3, Cruz 2, Ross 0, Enciso 0.
Rain or Shine 98 – Mamuyac 20, Belga 17, Clarito 13, Santillan 13, Caracut 9, Demusis 6, Datu 6, Borboran 5, Ildefonso 4, Asistio 3, Norwood 2, Nocum 0, Paredes 0.
Quarters: 31-24, 49-44, 82-78, 101-98.
—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Built-in Information