SAN Miguel Beer is staring at a return trip to the finals when it attempts to finish off Star in the continuation of their highly competitive best-of-five semifinals series in the 2017 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup.
On the brink of yet another finals’ appearance, the Beermen, leading 2-1, can wrap things up in Game 4 today at 7 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
On the other hand, the Hotshots are aiming to extend the series and live for another day.
With control of the series on the line in Game 3, San Miguel Beer, particularly sharpshooter Marcio Lassiter, stepped up to the occasion.
Lassiter came to the Beermen’s rescue, knocking down the clutch game-winning triple with a second left to give San Miguel a thrilling 111-110 squeaker over Star in Game 3 Wednesday night.
More importantly, the winning play gave the Beermen a 2-1 series lead.
San Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria expressed his gratitude for that shot that gave their team the vital upperhand.
“We were lucky for that shot by Marcio [Lassiter]. That gave us the lead in the series,” said Austria.
Just like in the first two games, the two teams fought tooth and nail the last time out and Austria doesn’t expect that to change moving forward, especially now that the Beermen are looking to move to the big stage and the Hotshots looking to force a deciding Game 5.
“This is a very tough series. Star is giving us a really hard fight and we expect another tough game,” Austria said.
Star’s sensational import Ricardo Ratliffe scored a conference-high 44 points, but once again, it went for naught as his squad still fell short.
Looking forward, Ratcliffe would need more help from his pals if Star is to force a knockout Game 5.
As of this report, TNT KaTropa, leading 2-0, is trying to finish off Barangay Ginebra as they figure in Game 3 of their own best-of-five semis tango.