“You can’t get a tougher windup than that. It’s a killer stretch,” said SMB coach Leo Austria.
The Beermen must do well in that run if they’re to clinch an automatic semifinal berth in the Smart Bro PBA Philippine Cup.
San Miguel and NLEX clash at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Cuneta Astrodome.
SMB (7-1) and Alaska Milk (7-1) are running neck-and-neck on top, followed closely by Rain or Shine (6-2). TNT and Globalport are nursing slim hopes of making the top two with their identical 5-3 slates.
SAN MIGUEL VS NLEX
EVENTS: Live Streaming & Full Game Replay
Where: CUNETA ASTRODOME
When: Sunday December 9, 2015
“We’ll do our best to finish at least second. Masyadong mahirap dumaan sa quarterfinals. Nakakatakot yung second part ng quarterfinals which is a knockout match,” said Austria.
The Road Warriors are as determined to do good in the homestretch of the elims with their hopes to land in the Top Six.
De Ocampo fouled Taulava out of the game on a three-point play only 36 seconds into the overtime. He then earned another trip to the line and made both free throws for an 83-78 lead.
Villanueva then made the Road Warriors’ lone basket in overtime, a jumper from the baseline, but that was soon answered by a Cabgnot basket on the other end.
Both teams were then silent for the next two and a half minutes as both sides got big stops but Santos put the game away with a three-pointer, 88-80, with 29.8 seconds left.
The scores:
SAN MIGUEL 88 – De Ocampo 17, Cabagnot 17, Tubid 14, Santos 9, Fajardo 9, Arana 9, Heruela 7, Reyes 4, Lutz 2, Omolon 0, Ross 0.
NLEX 80 – Villanueva J. 20, Taulava 20, Anthony 12, Borboran 10, Villanueva E. 8, Enciso 6, Lanete 2, Khobuntin 1, Reyes 1, Alas 0, Camson 0.
Quarters: 20-10, 37-34, 59-56, 78-78, 88-80