By Adrian Stewart Co
San Miguel Beermen (SMB) imposed its presence from start to finish to defeat TNT Tropang Giga, 116-90, in Game 4 of the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup semifinals yesterday at the Don Honorio Ventura State University Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.
Moala Tautuaa led the way with 25 points, including 10-of-13 free throws, to go with nine rebounds, while Terrence Romeo added 16 markers as the Beermen knotted the series at 2-2.
June Mar Fajardo and Marcio Lassiter finished with 13 points each, while Alex Cabagnot, Arwind Santos and Jaymar Perez contributed 12, 11 and 10 markers, respectively, for SMB.
The Beermen jumped to an 18-9 start with consecutive inside hits by Fajardo and Tautuaa. It went up to 57-32 at the half with Tautuaa and Romeo connecting in the second quarter.
San Miguel Beer went for the kill in the second half with conversions from Fajardo, Santos and Perez as the lead reached its largest at 81-44 following a Lassiter three-pointer.
Jayson Castro top-scored for the Tropang Giga with 15 points, Glenn Khobuntin added 13 markers, while rookie Mikey Williams and Jeth Troy Rosario had 11 and 10 points, respectively.
John Paul Erram, who played a key role in Tropang Giga’s Game 1 and Game 3 victory, exited and was rushed to the hospital in the opening half after hitting his head on the floor. Roger Pogoy also struggled for TNT with just two points.
BOX SCORE:
SAN MIGUEL 116 – Tautuaa 25, Romeo 16, Fajardo 13, Lassiter 13, Cabagnot 12, Santos 11, Perez 10, Ross 7, Pessumal 4, Zamar 3, Gamalinda 2, Gotladera 0.
TNT 90 – Castro 15, Khobuntin 13, M. Williams 11, Rosario 10, Exciminiano 8, Mendoza 6, Heruela 5, Montalbo 4, Alejandro 4, Javier 4, Erram 3, Marcelo 3, Pogoy 2, Reyes 2.
Quarterscores: 26-14, 57-32, 91-61, 116-90./ASC, WDJ