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THERE was no fooling around for San Miguel Beer on April Fools’ Day, turning it up when it mattered to roll to a 111-87 victory and gain control of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals on Sunday night at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Rejuvenated by a Holy Week mini break, the Beermen flipped the switch from a nip-and-tuck battle in the payoff period where they banked on a backbreaking run to win for their second straight game and take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Marcio Lassiter and June Mar Fajardo spearheaded the attack, while Brian Heruala and Gabby Espinas provided a huge spark off the bench of the Beermen as they denied the Hotshots a resurrection on Easter Sunday.
“I think yung one-week break worked in our favor, and we're able to recharge and to focus and recuperate from minor injuries, especially Marcio and Chris Ross who are suffering a lot of bangaan inside,” SMB coach Leo Austria said.
“The key here is we're able to match their energy,” he added. “Lampas-lampas pa nga, that is because of our second unit. At the start of the fourth quarter, sila ang nag-trabaho that's why I opted to let them stay until the last few minutes.”
Mark Barroca led the Beermen with 22 points, four assists, three steals, two assists, and one block, while Paul Lee added 15 points, seven assists, and three boards, but didn’t finish the game due to a hand injury.
The scores:
SMB 111 — Lassiter 24, Fajardo 21, Ross 14, Santos 14, Heruela 11, Espinas 9, Cabagnot 5, Ganuelas-Rosser 5, Pessumal 4, Semerad 2, Vigil 2, Lanete 0, Mamaril 0
MAGNOLIA 87 — Barroca 22, Lee 15, Ramos 12, Simon 10, Dela Rosa 6, Gamalinda 6, Jalalon 6, Sangalang 6, Brondial 0, Herndon 0, Mendoza 0, Pascual 0
Quarterscores: 29-22, 50-49, 75-68, 111-87