Beermen thwart Road Warriors

MANILA, Philippines -- The San Miguel Beermen won back-to-back games in the PBA Governors’ Cup after keeping the NLEX Road Warriors at bay, 119-114, Wednesday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.

It was a nip-and-tuck game, but timely shots by Don Trollano, Marcio Lassiter and CJ Perez tipped the scales in San Miguel’s favor.

Perez paced the Beermen with 24 points, five rebounds and three blocks. June Mar Fajardo and Lassiter each had 17 points apiece.

NLEX led by six, 92-86, heading into the final frame after a late layup by Terrence Romeo.

A 9-2 run by San Miguel to start the fourth quarter gave them the advantage, 95-94, after a layup by Trollano.

The two teams then traded shots, but huge haymakers by Trollano, Lassiter and Jericho Cruz gave the Beermen a 109-103 advantage with 4:38 to go.

It was enough separation to keep their distance against the Road Warriors.

While NLEX was able to cut the lead to just two, 111-109, Trollano and Cruz teamed up with back-to-back shots to go up by six, 115-109, with 1:52 left.

The two squads missed shot after shot, until Michael Miranda sank a 3-pointer, 112-115, with 34 seconds remaining.

Free throws by Perez iced the game for San Miguel, who rose to 4-2 in the import-laden conference.

New Beermen import Shelden Mac and Trollano added 16 apiece, while Terrence Romeo had 13.

Robert Bolick had 24 points and 15 assists for the Road Warriors. Miranda and Myke Henry added 18 and 17 markers, respectively.

NLEX dropped to 3-4 in the season.