Beermen won’t die, extend series

MANILA, Philippines - San Miguel Beer postponed the last rites last night, clawing their way to the lead from 11 points down in the last three minutes of regulation play and living on in overtime to pull off a dramatic 110-104 win before a roaring capacity crowd at the Philsports Arena.

The Beermen bungled a chance to win right away in regulation play but had another great recovery in the extension play, thus foiling the Aces’ sweep bid in the Smart Bro PBA Philippine Cup Finals.

A huge crowd anticipating an Alaska title coronation instead saw an epic SMB fightback that forced a Game Five in the best-of-seven title series.

The Aces, still very much in control with a 3-1 series lead, take a second shot at wrapping up the crown on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“It’s not easy to sweep anybody. They showed up as what we expected,” said Alaska coach Alex Compton. “It’s really not easy to sweep, and it’s not going to be easy Wednesday.”

“This is what we’re waiting for. Finally, we gained some breaks with Alaska committing numerous turnovers at endgame,” said San Miguel coach Leo Austria.

Marcio Lassiter topscored with 26 points, Gabby Espinas came through with a double-double game with 21 markers and 14 rebounds and Arwind Santos had his mini double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds.

Then there were clutch plays by Chris Ross, Alex Cabagnot and Yancy de Ocampo as the Beermen lived to fight another game.

“The players accepted the challenge. They didn’t want to be swept away. I hope we’re able to sustain the momentum in the next game,” said Austria.

The Beermen got back into the fight, charging back from 82-93 down entering the last three minutes of the game.

San Miguel even had a chance to complete a stirring win in regulation but Cyrus Baguio struck with a three-pointer at the buzzer to force OT at 98.

The Aces, who set the pace almost throughout, took the initiative right away in the extra period on back-to-back baskets by Vic Manuel.

But the Beermen regrouped and once again recovered.   

Ross, Cabagnot and De Ocampo carried SMB ahead at 107-102 then the Beermen watched Chris Banchero turn the ball over for three consecutive plays as SMB stayed alive.

  Game Four was a complete reversal of Games Two and Three with the Beermen taking their turn to outplay the Aces in a gripping endgame duel.

SMB played catch-up basketball almost throughout, groping for form in the first half.

Vic Manuel, Dondon Hontiveros and Jvee Casio all put in double-figure outputs as the Aces set the pace early and headed to the halftime huddle carrying a 49-43 lead.

The Beermen took the lead, 36-33, shortly midway through the second period before Manuel and Casio came through with clutch shots to restore control for the Aces going into the final half.

Hontiveros came out firing, leading the way as the Aces erected an early double-digit spread at 26-15.

Key stoppages helped SMB get into the game in the second quarter. Cabagnot pulled three steals, including one in the 8:26 mark that made him the newest member of the league’s 500-steal plateau.

Hontiveros also hit the same mark in Game Three in Lucena.