Santos keys Beermen's OT win over struggling Ginebra

MANILA, Philippines — San Miguel Beer leaned on the heroics of Arwind Santos in the extra period to dispose of crowd favorite Barangay Ginebra 104-97 in a highly anticipated clash to cap Sunday’s PBA Commissioner’s Cup hostilities at the Mall of Asia Arena.

With the teams neck-and-neck for the whole 48 minutes, Santos knocked down a triple to open the overtime phase. As if that’s any indication, it was also the lanky forward who hit a dagger trey and the buffer free throws to put themselves far from the Gin Kings’ reach.

“We knew this would be an exciting game,” head coach Leo Austria said. “Both of us struggling this conference. [A win] proves to be important.”

“I’m happy to see the players stepping up. Nabago ang chemistry namin. [Some] players accepted to come off the bench. Some had limited playing time, too. Credit to the team ‘cause nakita namin ‘yung effort na hinahanap namin,” he closed.

June Mar Fajardo provided the Beermen anchorage in regulation. He went on to finish the game with 24 points and a whopping 19 caroms. 

Barangay Ginebra’s beloved import Justin Brownlee, who figured in a clash with former teammate Renaldo Balkman, was held scoreless in the fourth. He was only able to redeem himself with just two points in the extra period. He finished with 18.

Balkman reprised his leadership in production, pouring 27 points for the Beermen. He added 11 rebounds in a performance saddled by nine turnovers.

Top pick Christian Standhardinger missed the game due to patellofemoral pain syndrome and iliotibial band syndrome, according to Austria.

The defending conference champions have snared two victories in a row after losing their first three outings.

Meanwhile, Ginebra’s misery continues in the midseason conference as they have lost five of their six games.

The scores:

San Miguel 104 - Balkman 27, Fajardo 24, Santos 19, Lassiter 11, Ross 10, Cabagnot 9, Mamaril 4, Rosser 0.

Ginebra 97 - Brownlee 18, Aguilar 17, Devance 15, Thompson 13, Cruz 10, Slaughter 9, Mercado 8, Tenorio 7.

Quarters: 23-20, 47-43, 71-73, 93-93, 104-97.