Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Arizona Reid took matters into his own hands in the final frame to help San Miguel Beermen come away with a 96-89 win over Alaska Aces and take a commanding 3-0 lead in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup finals Wednesday (July 15).
Related: San Miguel Beer outlasts Alaska to take 2-0 lead
Down 78-83 with eight minutes to go in the fourth period, Reid checked in and uncorked a triple.
Relentless, the two-time best import followed it up with eight more points to complete a 13-2 barrage that put the Beermen on top for good, 91-85, with 2:54 to go.
He exploded for 41 points on 17-of-26 shooting from the field to go with 12 rebounds and three assists.
“I told my teammates to calm down and relax,” said Reid moments after the win at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum that put the Beermen on the cusp of winning their 21st championship.
No team in the PBA – and even in the National Basketball Association (NBA) – has climbed back from a 0-3 hole, but the Beermen cannot let up.
“We need four wins to claim the title,” said Coach Leo Asutria, who led San Miguel Beer to a title in the Philippine Cup.
“Mathematically, Alaska still has a chance to turn this series around.”
He added, “My players know we have to treat every game like it’s a do-or-die game.”
Alaska, which seemed to have found a way to limit the Beermen’s three-point shooting, was paced by import Romeo Travis’ 17 points.
Calvin Abueva added 15 points, while Sonny Thoss chipped in 12 points.
