Game recap (adapted from InterAKTV):
SAN MIGUEL BEERMEN over ALASKA ACES, 93-88
Box Scores.
San Miguel’s MVP duo of June Mar Fajardo and Arwind Santos dominated on both ends of the floor as the Beermen gutted out a tough Game Five to defeat the Alaska Aces, 93-88, and take a 3-2 lead in the PBA Philippine Cup finals on Friday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
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| June Mar Fajardo finally had a strong offensive outing as SMB beat Alaska in Game 5. |
Fajardo had 19 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 blocks, while Santos had 19 points, 9 boards, and 5 blocks of his own as San Miguel moved to within a win of clinching the Philippine Cup crown
The San Miguel defense held sturdy in the fourth quarter, holding Alaska scoreless for a stretch of close to five minutes, taking a seven-point lead, 86-79, heading into the final minutes.
They made some big stops in the end as they held off for the important win.
San Miguel can end the series with a win on Sunday’s Game Six.
Marcio Lassiter added 16 points, incuding three three-pointers, to help his team’s frontcourt duo.
Reserve forwards Doug Kramer and David Semerad added nine points each off the bench.
Alaska coach Alex Compton made some changes to his starting lineup, inserting Ping Exciminiano and Eric Menk as surprise starters in the game.
It didn’t work too much in their favor, though, as San Miguel jumped out to an early lead, 13-5, after back-to-back baskets from Lassiter.
However, the game began to change after the entry of Calvin Abueva off the bench, and the Aces quickly made a run soon after that. Abueva scored five points while gunners Dondon Hontiveros and RJ Jazul bookended their rally with a pair of three-pointers as they closed the period out on an 18-8 blast.
Alaska’s Jvee Casio continued his slump in the first half, missing all six of his shots, including five from beyond the arc. He finished the game shooting 0-for-8 and was held scoreless for the just the second time in his PBA career after failing to score a point in Game Four.
Abueva led Alaska with 24 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 assists, but it was not enough in this game.
His Aces must now win two consecutive games to win the All-Filipino tournament.
Line of the Game: Calvin Abueva - 24pts, 12rebs, 3asts, 2stls, 7/15 FGs.
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| Coach Leo Austria is one win away from his first PBA title as head coach. |
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| Say hello to the timeless Alice Dixon. |
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| JV Casio has not made a field goal in the past two games now. |
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| Rizza Diaz sizzled in last night's game. |
Images by Paul Ryan Tan/Sports5.
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