Defending champion San Miguel Beer finally scored a victory inside the bubble after defeating Terrafirma 105-98 Monday night in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Angeles University Foundation Sports and Cultural Center.
Mo Tautuaa bounced back from his struggles the last time by posting a game-high 25 points with six rebounds and three assists while Arwind Santos posted 20 points and 14 rebounds as the Beermen won for the first time since their 94-78 win over the Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok last March 8.
The Beermen were hard-lucked since the restart in Pampanga, falling to the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (87-83) and unbeaten TNT Tropang Giga (107-88).
Worse, SMB lost Terrence Romeo for the rest of the bubble after dislocating his right shoulder in the second quarter of Friday’s match opposite TNT.
Romeo’s loss seemed to have a very little effect on the Beermen, at least for this game as they controlled most of the game despite attempts by the Dyip to make things interesting.
SMB led by a high of 14 points during the third quarter, 69-55.
“Ito yung sinasabi nung team lagi e, iba ang may pinagsamahan,” said Austria, obviously referring to the familiar tagline of the product they represent. “Merong isang down pero dinededicate nila yung game para sa kanya.”
Marcio Lassiter picked up some of the offense and scored 18 points while Von Pessumal and surprise starter Paul Zamar also filled the shoes left by Romeo.
Pessumal hit five triples on his way to 17 points while Zamar probably had his best performance in a Beermen uniform with 11 points, four rebounds and three assists.