Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — San Miguel Beer rolled on to its sixth straight victory following a 96-92 beating of the NLEX Road Warriors in their Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) match at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum Friday (June 5).
The Beermen, who are eyeing a top four finish in the season-ending conference, now hold a 6-2 win-loss record. Winding up in the top four means a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.
“I think this is a big win for us because our target is the top four,” said San Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria.
“Right now nakikita na namin yung picture. Yung isang paa naming siguro nandun na (top four).”
And Austria had to thank import Arizona Reid and Marcio Lassiter for that.
Reid sizzled with 30 points including nine straight points inside the final three minutes to set the tables up for the breakaway, 92-86.
Lassiter caught fire in the penultimate quarter, uncorking three three-pointers that gave San Miguel a 12-point spread, 73-61. He finished with 21 points.
Meanwhile, the Road Warriors reeled to a 2-5 haul despite huge efforts from Asian import Michael Madanly.
The Syrian point guard dropped 16 points in the third quarter on his way to team-high 24 points.
Import Kwame Alexander had 21 points before fouling out in the dying minutes with a foul on Reid.
