SMB nips NLEX, claims fourth win

Games today (Smart Araneta Coliseum)

3 p.m. – Blackwater vs Globalport

5:15 p.m. – Purefoods vs Ginebra

MANILA, Philippines - San Miguel Beer, missing free throws but hustling to get key possessions, turned back NLEX, 79-76, to wrest solo second place in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Mindanao Civic Center in Tubod, Lanao del Norte last night.

On numerous offensive rebounds, the Beermen gained crucial trips to the line, making enough conversions to fend off the Road Warriors’ tough challenge in this Petron Blaze-sponsored road match.

Rebounding from a loss to Alaska Milk the last time out, San Miguel Beer broke off a three-way tie at second place for a 4-1 win-loss card, relegating Barangay Ginebra and Meralco to joint third at 3-1.

NLEX suffered a second straight loss and slid eighth place at 2-3.

The Road Warriors started strong, leading by 10 points at 28-18, but lost steam and firepower in a nip-and-tuck battle at the finish.

They held onto the lead for the last time at 76-75 on a booming three-pointer by KG Canaleta with 3:03 left. They failed to put San Miguel away as Canaleta missed his two succeeding open three-point attempts.

San Miguel went ahead, 77-76, on a jumper by Chris Lutz from the left flank with 2:07 left.

The Beermen preserved the win as Arwind Santos and Chris Lutz split their charities then Jonas Villanueva missed a three-pointer from way, way out at the buzzer.

Santos collected 12 points, 11 rebounds and one block to pace the Beermen.

Meanwhile, Barangay Ginebra and Purefoods Star face off in an elite match-up at the Smart Araneta Coliseum today.

Tickets have been sold out days before this Sunday special also pitting Globalport versus Blackwater.

“(Ginebra-Purefoods) is always a big event and even more so for us because we can’t afford to fall too deep in the standings,” said Purefoods coach Tim Cone.

“We’ve had a week to get James (Yap) and Ping (Marc Pingris) re-acclimated into the lineup and to get Don (Allado) into better game shape. Hopefully, that will make a difference in the game. We know Ginebra is going to be hungry,” Cone added.

“Games like this are reasons why we play this game,” said Ginebra coach Jeff Cariaso.

“It’s gonna be a challenge yet special going up against my mentor, coach Tim. But it’s not about us. It’s about our teams and being prepared for battle,” Cariaso added. “You can assume it will be a very intense game. Emotions will be high.”

Purefoods has won the last three games of this classic match-up, but Ginebra could be very tough now, being very well in sync in its second conference under Cariaso.

In fact, the Kings are off to a better start than the Hotshots, claiming stirring triumphs over the Talk n Text Tropang Texters, the Kia Sorento and the Blackwater Elite. Their lone defeat came at the hands of the NLEX Road Warriors.

On the other hand, the Hotshots have just broken into the win-column via a come-from-behind win over the Globaport Batang Pier. Purefoods lost its first two games against Alaska Milk and San Miguel Beer.