PBA: Unbeaten San Miguel clips Magnolia for share of lead

Marcio Lassiter. PBA PICTURES

MANILA, Philippines-Faced with an opponent desperate to break out of their routine, San Miguel was a reliable performer for a narrow 100-98 victory over Magnolia, adding to its winning ways in the PBA Governor’s Cup on Sunday night.

Marcio Lassiter had 18 points while June Mar Fajardo chipped in 16 and 10 rebounds in a tight contest at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao as the Beermen went up to 4-0 to share the conference lead.

“This is a test for us. Magnolia is a very organized team, so this is it [win] there is a big game for us as [gives us an idea] where we stand in this league, “said coach Jorge Galent, whose cost joins Converge and NLEX as early pacesetters of the third conference.

Import Cameron Clark led the way with 19 points and 10 rebounds, while fellow starters CJ Perez and Simon Enciso scored in double digits rounded out by Jericho Cruz’s 13 off the bench.

“Everybody stepped up – whoever I put in the game. They gave 110 percent even though they knew they only played five to seven minutes,” added Galent.

The Magnolia trio of Paul Lee, Jio Jalalon, and Mark Barroca kept the sister team at bay late in the game. They all have at least 13 points in the stand.

Calvin Abueva brought Magnolia within two, 100-98, with 18 ticks remaining.

Triple Lee would win for the Hotshots, but with San Miguel’s defenders unable to see clearly, the defensive club had no choice but to lose three straight in as many games.

Erik McCree had just 13 points and eight rebounds in his last game against Magnolia.

San Miguel is gunning for its fifth straight win against Meralco 3-1 this Thursday, while Magnolia will try to stop the bleeding against Phoenix 1-4 this Friday.

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