MANILA, Philippines -- The San Miguel Beermen held on and took Game 1 over the gritty Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 101-98, in the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
June Mar Fajardo dominated the paint with 23 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, three blocks and a steal.
The Beermen led by eight, 99-91, late in the game following a layup by CJ Perez.
After the Elasto Painters cut the lead to four, 95-99, with free throws by Gian Mamuyac and Jhonard Clarito, a layup by Trollano regained a six point lead, 101-95.
Clarito sank a layup with abut two minutes to go to inch closer, 97-101.
The two teams then traded good defensive possessions, before Caracut was fouled.
Caracut, though, missed his first and made his second, letting San Miguel keep distance.
With time winding down, Caracut, who made just one of his six previous attempts, missed a game-tying triple as the Beermen held on.
San Miguel led by as much as 10 points, but they could not leave their opponents as Beau Belga kept Rain or Shine afloat, making big shots in the third quarter.
Don Trollano chipped in 17 markers, while Marcio Lassiter had 16 points with four 3-pointers for the defending champions.
Mamuyac carried the offensive load with 20 points, seven rebounds and three assists.
Belga added 17 markers and seven boards.
While San Miguel shot 46% from the floor, they committed 16 turnovers.
San Miguel head coach Jorge Gallent stressed that the squad should take care of the ball better in the next games.
"I am satisfied sa game mismo sa amin sa team, pero sa turnovers, we have to minimize to not get into this situation. This is a running team, as much as possible, they want you to commit turnovers," San Miguel head coach Jorge Gallent said.
"If we do that, we won't have a chance defending them. We can't give them easy baskets. In the end, we will have a hard time," he added.
San Miguel will try to go up 2-0 on Sunday at the same venue.