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SMB averts collapse to take 2-1 Finals lead over TNT

Sports | Basketball

SMB averts collapse to take 2-1 Finals lead over TNT

By Reynald I. Magallon

At A Glance

San Miguel put together a scintillating third quarter performance and then endured a stretch of scoring drought in the fourth to essay a 108-88 victory in Game 3 of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Friday, July 18.

San Miguel put together a scintillating third quarter performance and then endured a stretch of scoring drought in the fourth to essay a 108-88 victory in Game 3 of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Friday, July 18.

June Mar Fajardo towered over a depleted and foul-plagued Tropang 5G frontline as he presided over the huge third quarter run to build an 18-point advantage – enough to weather the Beermen's five-minute dry spell in the fourth.

SMB was actually held scoreless for seven minutes, bridging the last two quarters, allowing TNT to come within seven, 89-82, with six minutes left.

That, however, was the closest the Tropa could get as the Beermen regained their footing behind a searing 18-4 rally in the waning minutes to finally pull away for good.

Fajardo dominated the paint and posted 33 points on top of 11 rebounds while Chris Ross, who delivered two big triples to help SMB restore order, added 15 points and six rebounds.

Jericho Cruz added 13 points — 12 of which came in the first half — while CJ Perez, after missing his first six attempts from the field, finished with 12.

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