The San Miguel will advance to the Final Four after they defeated the second-seeded NorthPort Batang Pier, 90-88.
The Beermen almost blew a 16-point lead after the Batang Pier changed their identity as one of the top-two teams in the 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
At the 2:12 mark of the fourth quarter, NorthPort rookie Robert Bolick sank his two freebies but most importantly he was able to lift his team up by a point, 83-82.
Then in their next ball possession, Mo Tautuaa able to locate an open Sean Anthony who swished his three-pointer. That gave the squad of coach Pido Jarencio a more comfortable lead with four points, 86-82.
To stop the momentum shift, SMB head coach Leo Austria called a timed out. That break resulted in a three-pointer of Arwind Santos then the “Spiderman” converted a layup after Bolick made a turnover.
That series of play gave the Beermen the lead once again, 87-86.
Then Bolick answered back with a high floater against the long stretch arm of Santos. Once again NorthPort reclaims the driver seat, 89-88.
Chris Mccullough made his response as he challenged the defense of Batang Pier’s import, Prince Ibeh for a layup. He made his attempt and the advantage went back to SMB, 89-88.
Coach Jarencio called his last full timeout. That resulted in a Mo Tautuaa open three-pointer, however, his shot wasn’t able to find the bottom of the net.
The rebound went to the Beermen. NorthPort guard Garvo Lanete has no other option but to make an intentional foul to stop the clock.
Mccullough went to the charity line for a pair of free-throws but he split his attempt, 90-88.
Batang Pier grabbed the rebound and they need to cross the half-court line as there’s no more timeout for them to call.
It was a wild scramble until Bolick got the ball. Yet, there were several red shirts in front of him to deflect his shot and obviously, he missed.
With the victory, San Miguel will face the winner of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and Blackwater Elite quarterfinals match.
Chris Mccullough Puts The Defense Of Prince Ibeh To A Test
San Miguel vs NorthPort Game 2 Quarterfinals Box Score
Quarters: 21-27 | 43-39 | 72-62 | 90-88
Beermen (90) – McCullough 31, Lassiter 11, Cabagnot 10, Santos 10, Fajardo 8, Standhardinger 8, Romeo 5, Pessumal 3, Ross 2, Rosser 2
Batang Pier (88) – Lanete 22, Tautuaa 20, Ibeh 15, Bolick 13, Anthony 10, Taha 4, Elorde 2, Ferrer 2, Mercado 0, Cruz 0