The San Miguel Beermen has taken away the series advantage from the TNT KaTropa as they took Game 4, 106-101.
SMB import Chris Mccullough had his redemption game as he bounced back from his awful performance in Game 3 where he soaked to their bench for several minutes due to foul trouble.
In tonight’s game, Mccullough made sure that he’s smart enough when to use his personal fouls and it resulted in 27 points and 22 rebounds production.
He was also later named as the Bida Player of the Game.
Early in the first quarter, it appeared that San Miguel’s strategy is to stop TNT import Terrence Jones from scoring.
Indeed they were successful in that opening period where they limited the 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Best import to only a point plus he also struggled in the free-throw line.
Yet, Jones able to make his adjustment and had his scoring spree in the second quarter where he logged 17 points but most importantly they were able to reclaim the lead at the end of the first half, 52-51.
In the third quarter, the Beermen went to June Mar Fajardo to dictate their offense and the “Kraken” responded and delivered 10 points for coach Leo Austria.
After that, it was all San Miguel until the fourth quarter where they advantage ballooned to as much as 15 points.
Yet, the troops of coach Bong Ravena refused to surrender and brought their team once again to a striking distance in the crucial moments of the game, 96-98 at the 40 seconds mark.
However, Fajardo able to answer back and Alex Cabagnot who was one of the gunners of SMB in Game 4 added two more points to give their team a much breathing room and eventually won the game.
The series is now reduced to best-of-three series after SMB tied it at 2-2.
San Miguel and TNT KaTropa will resume their championship battle on Wednesday and will be held in the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Nakaw Play Ni JMF
San Miguel Game vs Talk ‘N Text 4 Finals Box Score
Quarters: 31-22 | 51-52 | 82-69 | 106-101
Beermen (106) – McCullough 27, Cabagnot 25, Fajardo 22, Pessumal 14, Ross 7, Standhardinger 5, Romeo 4, Santos 2
KaTropa (101) – Jones 32, Rosario 24, Castro 17, Trollano 16, Pogoy 9, Heruela 3, Casino 0, Magat 0, Carey 0