TERRENCE ROMEO and Marcio Lassiter put their act together in powering San Miguel Beer to a dominating 83-67 win over TNT, on Wednesday in the Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at the Don Honorio Ventura State University gym in Bacolor, Pampanga
Romeo and Lassiter led San Miguel Beer’s furious attack in the first quarter with a combined 15 points as they rushed to a 24-10 lead entering the second period.
The Beermen sustained their early charge in the following quarters, registering an insurmountable 64-37 cushion late in the third canto.
San Miguel Beer was never threatened the rest of the way to improve its record to 4-2 won-lost while sending TNT to its first setback in seven games.
“The sense of urgency was there,” said San Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria, whose team recovered from an embarrassing 104-110 defeat to Terrafirma last September 1. “It’s a big win for us. I’m really thankful to the players because they really wanted to win this game.”
Lassiter scattered 19 points and six rebounds, while Moala Tautuaa and CJ Perez had 13 points each.
June Mar Fajardo added eight points and 17 rebounds for the Beermen.
“This is the first time that I saw June Mar laugh,” Austria said.
Magnolia rallied past NLEX, 112-105, in double overtime also on Wednesday to earn at least a quarterfinal playoff berth.
Ian Sangalang scored 21 points, including two baskets in the second overtime that gave the Hotshots a 108-104 breather with 3:41 left.
Magnolia hiked its record to 5-2.
Calvin Abueva fouled out in the fourth quarter but still top scored for Magnolia with 23 points and 11 rebounds for his fourth double-double in the conference. Paul Lee added 18 points, while Mark Andy Barroca tallied 13 points, seven rebounds and five assists, and Aris Dionisio came off the bench with 11 points.
Magnolia had a chance to win in regulation, but Barroca split free throws in the final minute for a 94-all score. Dionisio’s step back three-pointer forced the second overtime at 104-all.
NLEX dropped to a 4-3 win-loss record.