Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 25) – Arwind Santos drained a jumper from the free-throw line with 1.2 seconds remaining as the San Miguel Beermen escaped with an 88-86 win against NorthPort Batang Pier in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup on Sunday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Santos made the game-winning shot coming off a San Miguel timeout, after NorthPort tied the game with seven seconds remaining as Batang Pier guard Robert Bolick split his charities.
NorthPort fought back hard in the fourth quarter after being down by 16 points, 63-79, at the end of the third quarter. Big man Greg Slaughter, who had a prolific debut for the Batang Pier, scored two crucial baskets in the paint in the last minute of the game.
The Batang Pier outscored the Beermen, 23-9, in the final canto as they forced the former Philippine Cup champions to turnovers and uneasy shots. However, San Miguel’s experience prevailed down the stretch after successfully protecting their lead.
Santos tallied 17 points in the match while CJ Perez led the Beermen in scoring for the second straight game with 18 points to help San Miguel improve its slate to 2-1.
“It’s an ugly finish for us, but a win is a win,” San Miguel head coach Leo Austria described his team’s performance.
Slaughter finished with a double-double outing of 23 points and 17 rebounds while Robert Bolick added 19 markers for Northport, which slid down to a 1-2 record.
The Scores:
SAN MIGUEL 88 – Perez 18, Santos 17, Cabagnot 16, Tautuaa 11, Fajardo 8, Lassiter 6, Pessumal 6, Ross 3, Gamalinda 3
NORTHPORT 86 – Slaughter 23, Bolick 18, Onwubere 12, Balanza 11, Malonzo 10, Taha 9, Rike 1, Ferrer 1, Faundo 0, Elorde 0, Doliguez 0
Quarterscores: 21-21, 52-45, 79-63, 88-86
