San Miguel Beer weathered a desperate run from Magnolia to complete a 103-95 escape and draw first blood in the best-of-seven 2023-’24 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals at the Mall of Asia Arena on Friday, Feb. 2.

San Miguel Beer weathered a desperate run from Magnolia to complete a 103-95 escape and draw first blood in the best-of-seven 2023-’24 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena on Friday, Feb. 2.

The Beermen almost squandered a 20-point lead as the Hotshots rallied back within single digits in the waning minutes before free throws from June Mar Fajardo, CJ Perez and Jeron Teng ultimately put the game away.

SMB looked on its way to an easy victory after erecting a 94-74 lead early in the final frame but Magnolia, behind its shocktroopers, threatened and cut the lead down to just five, 100-95 with 1:13 left in the contest.

Crucial turnovers and missed free throws from the Beermen kept the window open for the Hotshots even in the waning seconds but three free throws from Fajardo, Perez and Teng proved to be enough to seal the deal for SMB.

Apart from the endgame blunders, the Beermen still flaunted their might and depth with import Bennie Boatwright throwing his around against Magnolia’s league-leading defense to finish with 28 points and 16 rebounds although he shot an uncharacteristic 2-of-12 shooting from deep.

CJ Perez backstopped him with 19 points while Marcio Lassiter who led a 41-points explosion from the SMB in the second quarter finished with 16 points built on four triples.

Fajardo posted a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds while Don Trollano also reached double figures with 10.

With the win, SMB extended its hot streak to 10 straight victories which go way back the latter part of the eliminations. Interestingly, the Beermen’s last defeat came from a 94-90 decision against the Hotshots.

SMB, which was coming off a six-day rest, took advantage of its fresher legs and easily shrugged off an initial resistance from Magnolia. Three straight triples from Boatwright and Lassiter underscored the Beermen’s hot shooting in the first two quarters, giving them a 61-42 lead.

Just when head coach Chito Victolero looked to be already raising the white flag after emptying his bench, the Hotshots, behind Joseph Eriobu and Jio Jalalon, unloaded a last-ditch 10-1 rally in the final two minutes to cut the once 99-85 lead to just five.