Playing before a jampacked crowd at the Cebu City Coliseum, the Beermen blew hot and cold, losing a 16-point lead they built in the first half before pouring it on in the closing minutes where they went on an 18-7 run.
With a 5-7 record, San Miguel will pray for a Sta. Lucia win against Purefoods this afternoon at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City for it to clinch the second quarterfinal slot in Group A.
Despite two consecutive losses in its 6-5 slate, Sta. Lucia is already assured of a slot in the next round. Also seeking quarterfinal slots in Group A are Alaska, FedEx and Purefods.
The humidity inside the Cebu City venue made it doubly hard for the players, particularly on the Alaska side, which showed up with three hurting players and minus two injured ones.
Ali Peek underwent a knee operation yesterday and might miss the rest of the season while Brandon Cablay is out with a hyper-extended knee. Peek’s absence made it easier SMB big men Dorian Pena who had 15 points and 10 rebounds and Nic Belasco who had 14 points and 11 rebounds.
Playing hurt for Alaska were Don Allado (knee), EJ Feihl (ankle) and John Arrigo (fever). Allado briefly fell to cramps during the game while Feihl was taken out in the final quarter after aggravating his injury. Reports said he would be out for at least two weeks.
The quarterfinal cast in Group B is sealed with Ginebra and Talk N Text just vying for a better positioning when they meet at 4 p.m. Coca-Cola and Red Bull are also in the quarterfinals while Shell bowed out after losing nine of its first 12 games.
The Beermen got off to a good start. They raced to an 11-3 lead by converting four of their first 10 field goals compared to the Milkmen who shot 1-of-9 in the first six minutes.
But the Milkmen came back behind Feihl’s big baskets and took their first and only taste of the lead at 26-24. The Beermen then started to hit their shots in a powerful 22-4 explosion that gave them a 46-30 lead that was trimmed to 49-39 at the half.