MANILA, June 25 (PNA) — San Miguel took a 2-1 lead in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals after beating TNT for the second straight time, 109-97, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Sunday night.
The Beermen broke loose in the last 5:37 of yet another emotional encounter to surge ahead of the KaTropa.
Alex Cabagnot tallied 28 points, nine rebounds, six assists, one steal, and one block, while Charles Rhodes chipped in 25 points, 20 rebounds, two assists, one block, and two steals for SMB.
Chris Ross showed his mental toughness despite an altercation with Ryan Reyes and some taunts from reserve import Mike Myers and TNT’s Governors’ Cup import Michael Craig and contributed 17 points, three rebounds, five assists, and four steals for SMB.
RR Garcia came off the bench to score 19 points along with one rebound and four assists for TNT.
Game 4 is scheduled for Wednesday at the said venue.
Box Scores:
San Miguel 109-Cabagnot 28, Rhodes 25, Ross 17, Lassiter 16, Santos 10, Fajardo 6, Heruela 5, Semerad 2, Tubid 0, Espinas 0
TNT 97-Garcia 19, Smith 18, Castro 17, Semerad 12, De Ocampo 9, Williams 8, Tautuaa 7, Reyes 7, Pogoy 0, Rosario 0
Quarterscores: 23-23, 46-47, 79-72, 109-97 (Ivan Saldajeno/PNA)