The San Miguel Beermen survived the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters’ late rally, 120-111, in the PBA Philippine Cup on Saturday, June 7, at the Cagayan de Oro City Convention Center to inch closer to a twice-to-beat bonus in the playoffs.

The Beermen were leading 93-78 by the end of the third period before Adrian Nocum led the Elasto Painters’ comeback attempt.

After Marcio Lassiter opened the final frame with a triple, Rain or Shine had a 9-0 run, seven points of which came from Nocum to cut the deficit, 96-87.

A free throw from CJ Perez and a basket from Marcio Lassiter handed the Beermen a 12-point advantage, then Nocum ignited another run for the Elasto Painters as they made a 15-4 run to inch closer, 103-102.

In that run alone, Nocum had nine points for his 16-point output in the fourth period.

The Beermen, however, managed to recover with a 7-0 run to take a 110-102 lead.

Andrei Caracut drilled a triple to give the Elasto Painters a chance with 2:27 left before a free throw from June Mar Fajardo, followed by a four-pointer from CJ Perez, gave San Miguel a 115-105 advantage with less than two minutes remaining.

The Beermen then held off Rain or Shine in a tension-filled ending despite late triples from Caracut and Jhonard Clarito.

CJ Perez stuffed the stat sheet with 33 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, and three steals, while Don Trollano and June Mar Fajardo had 24 and 20 points, respectively, as the Beermen improved to 8-1.

Caracut waxed hot with 24 points built on five triples, while Nocum had 22 points to lead the Rain or Shine storm.

Clarito added 17 points, while Keith Datu and Santi Santillan had 12 and 10 points, respectively, as Rain or Shine fell to 6-4. (GMA Integrated News)