San Miguel seizes control of series with Star

San Miguel seizes control of series with Star

San Miguel seizes control of series with Star
PBA

San Miguel seizes control of series with Star

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THE best-of-five Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup semifinal series between the San Miguel Beermen and Star Hotshots is now in the control of the former after winning in Game Three, 111-110, behind Marcio Lassiter’s game-winning three-pointer last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Claiming their second straight victory after falling in the series-opener, the Beermen are now one win shy of barging into another finals appearance.

As was the case in the first two games, the two teams engaged in a tight contest in Game Three, knowing fully the big advantage that went with winning the pivotal match.

San Miguel topped the opening frame, 32-28, before being challenged by the Hotshots in the second canto.

The Beermen would hang on amid the Star flurry, however, to remain ahead, 56-52, by halftime.

Star opened the third with a 10-6 run to tie the knot at 62-all with seven minutes to go in the period.

A “firefight” ensued after with the two teams exchanging baskets to remain at loggerheads at 74-all at the three-minute mark.

An 11-7 run in the windup though would give the Beermen air space, 85-81, at the end of the third frame.

Led by import Charles Rhodes, the Beermen sprinted to a 93-86 advantage early in the last quarter.

It was a momentum that they would capitalize at and build on momentarily before Star began its fight back.

Back-to-back triples by Aldrech Ramos and Jio Jalalon pulled the Hotshots to within two points, 102-100, with 3:40 to go.

Mr. Rhodes and Chris Ross kept the Beermen afloat but the Hotshots, behind import Ricardo Ratliffe, kept coming back.

The score was tied at 108-all with 54 ticks to go.

Mr. Ratliffe broke the tie, 110-108, with 13 seconds left with a basket in the low block.

The play, however, turned out to be just a setup for Mr. Lassiter’s heroics.

With San Miguel’s first attempt at tying the game foiled, the ball found itself at the hands of Mr. Lassiter, who pulled up for a stepback triple which banked on the board before going in as the seconds ticked away, sending the San Miguel team and its faithful into celebration.

Mr. Rhodes had 36 points and seven rebounds while Mr. Ross had a near triple-double of 27 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. He also had three steals.

June Mar Fajardo had 18 while game hero Lassiter wound up with 12 points.

Mr. Ratliffe continued with his stellar play for Star with 44 points, 19 rebounds and four blocks.

Paul Lee finished with 21 points.

“It’s another one-point victory but we will take it. We don’t mind that as long as we end up with the W and we are now one win away from the finals,” said San Miguel coach Leo Austria after the game.

“It has not been easy against Star but hopefully we can keep the momentum in the next game,” he added.

The Beermen can conclude the series tomorrow in Game Four at the Mall of Asia Arena at 7 p.m.