#PBA2015 Philippine Cup Finals Roundup: January 9, 2015

The San Miguel Beermen unfurled a strong finishing kick to blast the Alaska Aces in the highly physical second game of the 2014-2015 Philippine Cup Finals. The result squared the series at 1-1.

Arwind Santos slams one home as SMB wins in Game 2.

Game Recaps (adapted from Rey Joble/InterAKTV):

SAN MIGUEL BEERMEN over ALASKA ACES, 100-86
Box Scores.
The San Miguel Beermen proved their mettle as they bounced back from a loss in the PBA Philippine Cup finals opener with an impressive 100-86 victory in a highly-physical Game Two on Friday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.

Despite taking plenty of hits in the game, San Miguel came up big in the fourth quarter, outscoring Alaska, 28-16, to claim the victory and tie the series at 1-apiece.

Arwind Santos led the Beermen with a team-high 22 points on 9-for-16 shooting despite getting busted open in the third quarter after a collision with Alaska star Calvin Abueva.

Chris Lutz finished with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists, while MVP June Mar Fajardo had 15 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 blocks in another strong performance.

San Miguel took a lead of as many as nine points in the second quarter, but the half ended as a close affair with Alaska only trailing by three points, 51-48, at the break.

The third quarter was extremely eventful, though, with the physicality coming to a head.

Arwind Santos got busted open in a confrontation with Calvin Abueva, while David Semerad needed to be separated from Dondon Hontiveros in another tussle. Semerad would later be on the receiving end of a clothesline from Vic Manuel. The Alaska big man was called tagged with a flagrant foul penalty one.

The Aces were able to open the period with an 11-2 run to briefly take a six-point lead, 59-53.

But the Beermen kept their cool amidst the physicality, coming right back to take a two-point lead heading into the final quarter, 72-70.

They finally made their move in the fourth quarter, scoring the first seven points on a three-pointer from Santos, two free throws from Fajardo and a driving layup for Chris Ross.

San Miguel led by as many as 18 points, 95-77, in the fourth quarter after opening with a 23-7 run.

Line of the Game: Chris Lutz - 20pts, 10rebs, 5asts, 2stls, 3 triples.