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San Miguel survives another tight contest against Converge as it moves on the cusp of reaching the semifinals of a sixth straight conference
MANILA, Philippines – San Miguel has been putting its playoff experience in full display as it closed in on the semifinals of the PBA Governors’ Cup.
The Beermen survived another tight contest against Converge, hacking out a 107-100 win to go up 2-0 in their best-of-five quarterfinals at the Araneta Coliseum on Saturday, September 28.
EJ Anosike fired 41 points with 9 rebounds and 5 assists as San Miguel, which escaped with a 102-95 victory in the series opener, moved on a cusp of reaching the semifinals of a sixth straight conference.
“We were really composed, especially the last six minutes of the game,” said Beermen head coach Jorge Gallent.
“The players really found a way to win. They played their hearts out in the last six minutes. That is why we got the victory today.”
Anosike erupted for 17 points in the third quarter alone as San Miguel wrested the upper hand from the FiberXers and entered the final period with a 78-70 lead.
That lead grew to its biggest at 95-83 before Converge rode on a 13-2 rally powered by 6 points from Bryan Santos to cut its deficit to a whisker, 96-97.
But the Beermen showed their composure down the stretch as Anosike spearheaded a 10-4 finishing run inside the final three minutes.
“I’m happy to be with this great group of guys and compete. I look forward to getting better every game,” said Anosike, who averaged 34.5 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists in two games he played in since he joined San Miguel.
June Mar Fajardo scored 15 points and hauled down 16 rebounds for the Beermen, Kris Rosales contributed 11 points, while CJ Perez put up 10 points, 8 assists, and 2 steals.
Marcio Lassiter and Terrence Romeo added 9 and 8 points, respectively, as San Miguel zeroed in on beating the FiberXers in the playoffs for the third consecutive time.
Import Jalen Jones delivered 36 points and 12 rebounds in the loss, while Alec Stockton and Santos had 14 and 12 points, respectively.
Converge big man Justin Arana posted 12 points and 7 rebounds before he exited the game early in the fourth quarter due to a knee injury.
The Scores
San Miguel 107 – Anosike 41, Fajardo 15, Rosales 11, Perez 10, Lassiter 9, Romeo 8, Trollano 7, Cruz 6, Enciso 0, Brondial 0, Teng 0, Ross 0, Manuel 0.
Converge 100 – Jones 36, Stockton 14, Arana 12, Santos 12, Winston 8, Andrade 8, Ambohot 4, Delos Santos 4, Cabagnot 2, Melecio 0, Caralipio.
Quarters: 23-25, 48-51, 78-72, 107-100.
– Rappler.com
