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Jericho Cruz catches fire as SMB takes 3-2 Finals lead over Magnolia

San Miguel’s Jericho Cruz against Magnolia during the 2023-24 PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals Game 5. Photo by Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News. 

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PBA Commissioners Cup Finals Game 5

Rom Anzures

ABS-CBN News

<figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments" id="isPasted"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1707656605399.png" alt="San Miguel’s Jericho Cruz against Magnolia during the 2023-24 PBA Commissioner&#x27;s Cup Finals Game 5. Photo by Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News. " class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><figcaption>San Miguel’s Jericho Cruz against Magnolia during the 2023-24 PBA Commissioner&#x27;s Cup Finals Game 5. Photo by Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News. </figcaption></figure>MANILA — The San Miguel Beermen are back in the driver&#x27;s seat and have ended their two-game slump.This, after SMB emerged victorious over the Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots, 108-98, during their 2023-24 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals Game 5 clash at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.Jericho Cruz caught fire for the Beermen, putting up 30 huge points (tied for career-high) that were built on eight buckets from beyond the arc. He also grabbed seven boards and dished out four dimes in the victory.   June Mar Fajardo also imposed his presence after tallying an 18-point, 15-rebound performance. Ahead only by three after the Hotshots nearly erased a 14 point lead in the fourth, Cruz hit a dagger three with only 53 ticks remaining to create a 102-96 lead.Tyler Bey went perfect from the 15-foot-line in Magnolia’s next possession, but Bennie Boatwright also aced his two free throws, and a CJ Perez steal off a slam sealed the deal for the Beermen.After the first 24 minutes of action, the Beermen held a 48-41 lead all thanks to Simon Enciso and Cruz who scored 12 and 11 first-half points. Magnolia opened the second half in a strong manner, at one point even tying the game at 56 apiece after a basket by Ian Sangalang at the 7:02 mark of the third, but SMB shifted gears yet again.Buckets from Mar Fajardo, Boatwright, and Mo Tautuaa allowed Jorge Gallent’s squad to create a 72-63 lead with still 2:29 left in the third canto, and SMB banked on this momentum as they entered the fourth.Don Trollano and Boatwright opened the final frame by scoring six straight points, with the former scoring on a triple and the latter hitting an and-one in the fast break, and these conversions produced San Miguel’s biggest lead at 13, 81-68, with over 10 minutes remaining. Plays after, Magnolia was able to cut the lead to seven, 82-75, following a basket by Sangalang, but Cruz’s hands were just too hot.The former Adamson Soaring Falcon answered with back-to-back treys to re-establish a 13-point-lead, 88-75, while yet another Enciso trey brought SMB’s advantage back to 14, 91-77, with only 6:55 left.The Hotshots refused to give in just yet as they came again to as close as seven, 94-87, as Jio Jalanon scored on a lay-in at the 4:28 mark, but Cruz continued to pile up markers, answering with another triple in their following possession once more. This proved to be enough for the Beermen as they are now only a win away from finally being hailed as Commissioner’s Cup champions. The Beermen can already clinch the championship on Valentine&#x27;s Day (Wednesday), February 14, at the same venue. Game time is at 7:30 PM.

The San Miguel Beermen are back in the driver's seat and have ended their two-game slump.

The San Miguel Beermen are back in the driver's seat and have ended their two-game slump.