Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — San Miguel Beer’s starters combined for 103 points as the Beermen repulsed the Rain or Sine Elasto Painters, 117-110, in Game 4 of their Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup semifinal encounter at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday (July 8).
More importantly, the Beermen arranged a finals rematch against the Alaska Aces. Their best-of-seven duel begins on Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Aces will have a shot at avenging their Philippine Cup finals loss to the Beermen early this year.
Import Arizona Reid and June Mar Fajardo were at the forefront of San Miguel Beer’s attack, scattering 38 and 27 points, respectively.
Arwind Santos, who shot a crucial three-pointer in the final three minutes to ward off Rain or Shine’s surge led by Jeff Chan, found his groove just when the team needed him most.
Santos, who was relatively quiet in the first three games, frolicked with a usual double-double output, scoring 15 points and hauling down 14 rebounds. He also had an assist, three steals, and two blocks.
Marcio Lassiter and Alex Cabagnot added 12 and 11 points, respectively.
“The players didn’t want to lose. They really want to be in the championship,” said San Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria.
Indeed, his wards were hell-bent on winning and it was evident in the opening quarter.
The Beermen were in control in the opening quarter, 31-20, and kept the Elasto Painters at arm’s length until the latter went in overdrive in the final quarter.
It was reminiscent of the Elasto Painters’ Game 2 victory, where they came back from 20 points down to tie the series at one game apiece.
Only this time, they fell short.
Rain or Shine slowly cut the Beermen down to size and slashed the lead to four, 108-104, on Chan’s triple with 3:25 to go.
But Santos retaliated and sank a three-pointer.
Reid scored four more points after that, while Cabagnot shot a dagger of a jumper to put the game away, 117-107, in the final minute.
Import Wendell McKines paced Rain or Shine with 25 points and 17 rebounds.
Chan had 21, Gabe Norwood scored 15, and Paul Lee chipped in 13 points for the Elasto Painters.
