Games Friday
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
4:30 p.m. — Columbian vs Meralco
7 p.m. — TNT KaTropa vs Ginebra
San Miguel Beer overcame the absence of injured import Dez Wells to hold off Blackwater 99-92 in overtime and secure a quarterfinals berth in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome.
The Beermen took advantage of the loss of Elite import Marqus Blakely due to six fouls with 3:18 to go in overtime by scoring eight straight points to pull away and snap a two-game losing streak.
Marcio Lassiter hit back-to-back baskets, June Mar Fajardo scored off a foul by Carl Bryan Cruz and Terrence Romeo converted a lay-in to give SMB a 98-92 lead entering the final minute.
SMB gained solo fourth in the standings with a 6-3 record despite missing Wells, who has yet to recover from an injured left ankle suffered last Oct. 27 against Meralco.
Coach Leo Austria was hoping that Wells would play despite skipping Tuesday’s practice but the import watched the whole game in street clothes.
“We don’t want to force somebody,” Austria said.
Austria didn’t rule out the possibility of tapping at least a temporary replacement for Wells in time for Saturday’s out-of-town game against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.
“Meron kaming backup but we will know maybe tonight kung may darating,” said Austria, who refused to give further details.
Fajardo finished with 30 points and 13 rebounds, Romeo scored 20 points, Arwind Santos 13 points and nine rebounds and Marcio Lassiter 11 points and seven boards for the Beermen.
Blackwater dropped to 2-8 in its first game since trading star rookie Ray Parks Jr. to TNT KaTropa in exchange for Don Trollano, injured veteran Tony Semerad and a 2021 first round pick.
The Elite forced overtime after KG Canaleta tied the score at 88-all with 56.6 seconds remaining in regulation.
Blackwater’s Roi Sumang and Fajardo had chances to put their teams ahead but missed go-ahead attempts before time expired.
Mac Belo scored 25 points in his first game since signing a three-year contract extension to remain with the Elite.
Scores:
SAN MIGUEL 99 — Fajardo 30, Romeo 20, Santos 13; Lassiter 11, Cabagnot 8, Pessumal 7, Nabong 6, Tautuaa 4, Rosser 0, Ross 0.
BLACKWATER 96 — Belo 25, Blakely 24, Trollano 14, Canaleta 13, Cruz 8, Javier 6, Tolomia 4, Sumang 2, Dario 0, Desiderio 0, Cruz 0, Al-Hussaini 0, Salem 0.
Quarters: 11-16; 34-37; 64-62; 88-88 (Reg); 99-96 (OT).