By Adrian Stewart Co
Meralco Bolts used a massive third quarter assault to defeat San Miguel Beermen (SMB), 111-97, in Game 4 of the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup semifinals yesterday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Holding to a 58-53 lead after two quarters, the Bolts opened the third period with triples from Allein Maliksi and Raymond Almazan and inside hits by Clifford Hodge and Aaron Black for an 80-61 lead.
The Beermen threatened to within 69-82 following a three-pointer by Marcio Lassiter midway in the quarter but inside conversions from Almazan widened the Bolts lead to 88-71.
Conversions by Black and Kier John Quinto to start the fourth period gave the Bolts its largest lead at 94-72 but the Beermen attempted to make a run to cut the deficit to 96-80.
The Bolts, however, put on the finishing touches via a three-pointer by Clifford Hodge and inside connections from Quinto, Maliksi and Chris Newsome for a 107-89 edge.
Black finished the game with 21 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, while Maliksi chipped in 19 markers, including four triples, as the Bolts tied the best-of-seven series at 2-2.
Hodge contributed 18 markers and seven rebounds, Almazan had his best game of the series with 17 points, while Quinto hoisted 11 markers for the Bolts.
Meralco blazed to a 16-6 start with outside conversions from Maliksi, Black and Newsome. It grew further to 25-11 late in the period with connections by Almazan and Hodge inside.
The Bolts went on to build a 19-point edge in the second canto but the Beermen went on a huge run to cut the deficit to 58-59 but triples by Black and Bacolodnon Reynel Hugnatan gave Meralco a 58-53 halftime edge.
Jaymar Perez top-scored with 24 points, Marcio Lassiter added 23 markers, while June Mar Fajardo had double-double 21 points and 13 rebounds for the Beermen.
BOX SCORE:
MERALCO 111 – Black 21, Maliksi 19, Hodge 18, Almazan 17, Quinto 11, Newsome 8, Baclao 4, Belo 4, Hugnatan 3, Pascual 2, Banchero 2, Jose 2, Caram 0, Pasaol 0, Johnson 0.
SAN MIGUEL 97 – Perez 24, Lassiter 23, Fajardo 21, Manuel 9, Brondial 9, Cañete 4, Zamar 3, Cruz 2, Tautuaa 1, Pessumal 1, Ross 0, Enciso 0, Herndon 0.
Quarterscores: 36-23, 58-53, 88-71, 111-97/ASC, WDJ