The San Miguel Beermen wasted a 15-point lead and needed four crucial charities at endgame to escape with a 106-101 triumph over TNT KaTropa last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
With the KaTropa threatening by three, SMB banked on free throws from Alex Cabagnot and Chris Ross to force a 2-all tie in in their best-of-seven title playoffs in the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner's Cup finals.
Cabagnot and Ross canned in their freebies in the last 4.4 seconds off fouls from Don Trollano.
This allowed the Beermen to preserve a seven-point edge, 106-99, in the remaining time.
Chris McCollough showed the way with 27 points and 22 rebounds for the Beermen.
Terrence Jones struck with 32 points and 16 rebounds for the KaTropa, who will meet the Beermen in Game 5 on Wednesday.