PBA Semis: SMB evades upset, takes Game 1 from ROS

MANILA, Philippines – No Marcio, no problem for the Beermen as they locked Game 1 of the 2019 PBA Commissioners’ Cup best-of-five semis showdown versus the Elasto Painters, 111-105 on Saturday, July 27, 2019 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Ex-Brooklyn Nets Chris Mccullough
Ex-Brooklyn Nets Chris Mccullough is unstoppable with 32 points and 14 rebounds vs. Rain Or Shine in semis game 1 | Photo Credit: pba.ph

The San Miguel Beermen started this conference slow but ramped-up their performance midway of it and made the final four.

In the same manner, the Beermen opened up its semis series against Rain Or Shine slow and let the entire Elasto Painters drop buckets on them.

Marcio Lassiter sustained an MCL injury on SMB’s previous game vs. Northport and will need 6 weeks to recuperate. Obviously, Lassiter’s absence had a great negative impact on San Miguel’s offensive plays and rotation.

ROS savored a double-digit lead in the entire 1st quarter and held onto an 8-point, 27-19 advantage as the quarter buzzer sounded.

“Diesel” is the perfect metaphor that describes San Miguel, whereas it needs some time to heat up before the engine runs well.

The Beermen just needed 2 minutes in the 2nd period to grab the lead from the Elasto Painters. NBA Vetran Chris Mccullough launched early 17 points to counter ROS’ offensive aggressiveness.

It was a quiet 1st half for ROS import Carl Montgomery. But surprisingly, ex-Archer Norbert Torres and Gabe Norwood continued to sizzle and gave their team a 52-46 margin at the end of the half. The unconventional duo had 11 apiece heading to the 2nd half.

Despite losing their top gunner, Alex Cabagnot and Chris Ross stepped up and took over the three point shooting chores left by Super Marcio in the 3rd quarter.

Rain Or Shine maintained its slim advantage as its players relied on offensive boards and excellent ball rotation.

Aside from Chris Mccullough, Christian Standhardinger reigned under the basket late in the quarter and found himself in double figures to close out the third with an 85-83 lead in favor of their team.

Trying to fill in what’s missing in their squad, SMB kept shooting from the outside and was lucky enough to convert most of the attempts. With this, San Miguel sustained its edge in the final chapter of the game.

The game was too close to call. Come last 2 minutes, San Miguel’s lead was just 4 and ROS fought back and traded baskets with the Beermen.

Unfortunate turnovers cost the Elasto Painters a lot in the dying moments of the ball game. The Beermen capitalized on those turnovers and helped them locked in game 1 of their semis series, 111-105.

Game 2 will be on Tuesday, July 29, 2019 at 7 pm at the Mall of Asia Arena.

— Joey Boy Capos, The Summit Express



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