IN ONE of the toughest and most thrilling games in recent memory, San Miguel Beer survived its battle of attrition with a pesky NLEX team as it pulled off a 131-127 triple-overtime grinder in the 2016 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup Tuesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Scoring explosions from two of the league’s best imports, along with a nip-and-tuck battle, made this one a classic, but it was the San Miguel Beer which emerged victorious from the grueling showdown.
The Beermen took home the win despite the 69-point explosion of NLEX super scorer Al Thornton.
But Tyler Wilkerson also had a spectacular showing, scoring a team-high 58 points for the Beermen.
Reigning Most Valuable Player Junemar Fajardo took charge in the third overtime period, scoring San Miguel’s first seven points as he helped the Beermen finally close out the marathon game.
Fajardo’s blitz in the third extension gave San Miguel the needed separation, 125-120, as it finally was able to close the door on NLEX.
“I have to give credit to the players, they really want to win, maybe because of their experience gusto nila manalo kahit napakahirap ng game. This is like a championship game,” said SMB coach Leo Austria. “The importance of this game is parehong ayaw magpatalo. They’re (Warriors) also a contender with their import.”
San Miguel led throughout the game and was in control for most part, but NLEX kept in step and stayed within striking distance to give itself a chance in the end.
The Road Warriors kept chipping away on the Beermen’s lead and in dramatic fashion, sent the game to overtime with a spectacular play from the red-hot Thornton to end regulation.
Down 96-99 with ball in hand, NLEX went to Thornton and the explosive import sank a tough desperation triple at the buzzer to tie it at 99-all and force the first extension.
In overtime, the teams continued to trade baskets resulting in a 108-all tie.
Still, after five more minutes, there was still no winner as both teams once again ended up knotted at the end of the second extension, 118-all, paving way for yet another overtime period.
The win put San Miguel back in familiar territory, tied with Alaska for second place on similar 6-3 marks. The win boosted its bid for a Top 2 finish as well.
On the other hand, the loss put the Road Warriors in a tie with Mahindra for slots No. 7 to 8 at an even 5-5 mark.
The scores:
SAN MIGUEL 131—Wilkerson 58, Cabagnot 20, Fajardo 18, Santos 15, Lassiter 11, Ross 7, Semerad 2, De Ocampo 0, Espinas 0, Arana 0.
NLEX 127—Thornton 69, Anthony 24, Taulava 13, Villanueva E. 6, Villanueva J. 6, Alas 3, Borboran 3, Cardona 3, Apinan 0, Enciso 0, Lanete 0, Reyes R. 0.
Quarters: 30-16, 52-45, 80-73, 99-99, 108-108, 118-118, 131-127
Games Friday (Smart Araneta Coliseum)
4:15 p.m. – Globalport vs. Phoenix
7 p.m. – Alaska vs. Meralco