PBA: No collapse this time as SMB equalizes finals series against Magnolia

MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATED) There was no collapse this time around for San Miguel Beer, as they claimed a 92-77 triumph over the Magnolia Hotshots in Game 2 of the 2017-18 PBA Philippine Cup finals on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Two days after a brutal Game 1 collapse that saw them squander a 20-point advantage, the Beermen proved to have all the answers this time around and fended off every rally that the Hotshots mounted in a heated Game 2.

Five players scored in double-digits for the Beermen, who got 20 points from their reserves after the SMB bench contributed only a single point in their Game 1 loss. Arwind Santos fired 24 points, June Mar Fajardo had 12 points and 13 rebounds, while Alex Cabagnot had 15 points and eight assists.

Marcio Lassiter contributed 16 points and Brian Heruela had 10 points on 3-of-3 shooting off the bench. Chris Ross was limited to five markers, but had 10 of San Miguel's 25 assists in the game.

"I think we've learned our lesson from the last game that we lost," said SMB coach Leo Austria after the contest. "I have to give credit to the players dahil talagang nakita ko sa kanila na ayaw magpatalo."

"We're disappointed and frustrated doon sa first game namin, and nakanti ang pride ng mga players. That's why makikita niyo sila, although we had a bad start, pero after tying the game, makikita mo sa kanila na ayaw na mag-give in," he added.

• READ: Pingris after Hotshots' brave Game 1 comeback: Mas malaki puso nila

The Beermen started off slow, with Magnolia opening up a 6-0 lead before the defending champions caught up and took a slim 19-17 lead at the end of the opening frame.

Much like they did in Game 1, San Miguel broke the game open in the third period, eventually leading by as much as 21 points, 71-50.

Cabagnot and Matt Ganuelas-Rosser spearheaded the 8-0 blast that gave SMB its biggest lead, with Cabagnot either scoring or assisting in all eight points.

But much like they did in Game 1, the Hotshots started showing signs of life late in the third frame. A split at the line by Mark Barroca sparked a 12-0 run bridging the third and fourth periods that put the Hotshots within striking distance.

A lay-up by rookie Robbie Herndon off a Jiovani Jalalon dime got Magnolia within seven points, 68-75, with still 8:24 to go, rattling the Beermen who were beginning to fire blanks from the perimeter and struggle in the face of the Hotshots aggressive defense.

"Parang nakikita namin 'yung nangyari ng first game. Bumaba 'yung lamang," said Santos. "Mabuti na lang eto, naka-catch up kami doon."

It was Santos who made sure that there would be no collapse for San Miguel. The veteran drained a crucial three-pointer with 6:57 left, and it not only broke the silence, it opened the floodgates for the Beermen. Fajardo scored in their next possession, then the big man assisted on a Ross bucket the next time down.

By the time Lassiter drilled a wide-open three-pointer to cap their run, the defending champions had scored 10 unanswered points to regain control of the game, 85-68, with 4:46 left.

Magnolia would not threaten again, and Santos put the finishing touches on the contest when he drained the dagger three-pointer with 1:16 left to play.

"I think we're able to adjust to that kind of defense they're throwing to June Mar, although June Mar was limited to I think 12 points. But that's the key eh. Most of our supporting cast ni June Mar, nag-work really hard to score to compensate," Austria said after the game.

San Miguel limited Magnolia to only 39.8% shooting from the field, while shooting 45.7% themselves.

Barroca led Magnolia with 18 points, while Paul Lee fired 13 points. Ian Sangalang, after torching San Miguel for 29 points in Game 1, was limited to 11 points.

The best-of-7 series is now tied at one game apiece heading to the Holy Week break. Game 3 is on Easter Sunday, April 1, at the Araneta Coliseum.

The scores:

SAN MIGUEL 92 - Santos 24, Lassiter 16, Cabagnot 15, Fajardo 12, Heruela 10, Ganuelas-Rosser 6, Ross 5, Mamaril 4, De Ocampo 0, Vigil 0.

MAGNOLIA 77 - Barroca 18, Lee 13, Sangalang 11, Ramos 7, Dela Rosa 7, Jalalon 6, Reavis 4, Pascual 4, Brondial 3, Simon 2, Herndon 2, Mendoza 0.

Quarters: 19-17, 48-35, 75-57, 92-77.

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