SMB forces decider

By Adrian Stewart Co

The San Miguel Beermen forced a decider after their 98-86 victory over the Magnolia Hotshots in Game 6 of the 2019 Honda PBA Philippine Cup finals over the weekend at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

June Mar Fajardo led the win with a double-double on 23 points and 18 rebounds, while Marcio Lassiter scored 20 points, and Chris Ross added 17.

The Beermen surged to an early 20-10 advantage on triples from Ross. The Hotshots later managed to get within eight but five straight points from SMB gave them a 25-12 edge.

The Beermen went on to build a 37-16 lead early in the second period on baskets from Christian Standhardinger and Lassiter but the Hotshots responded with a huge rally to come to within 50-36 at the half.

The Beermen clung to a double-digit lead in the third period on inside shots from Fajardo and Standhardinger but the Hotshots threatened and came within 68-62 heading into the fourth.

SMB went on to ensure a Game 7 after Terrence Romeo and Arwind Santos allowed them to build its biggest lead at 93-71 on a three-point play by Fajardo./ASC, WDJ