San Miguel Beer recovers from back-to-back losses with win over Barangay Ginebra

The San Miguel Beermen defeated Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, 81-66, to come back from back-to-back losses in the PBA Philippine Cup elimination round on Sunday.

The Beermen recovered from Ginebra's 17-0 run in the third period, capped by a Scottie Thompson triple at the 4:18 mark, 56-53. SMB answered with their own 6-0 spurt to give them a 62-53 advantage, before Mo Tautuaa closed the frame at 64-56. It was all San Miguel from there, with the Beermen having their biggest lead by 14 at the 2:27 mark.

Mo Tautuaa logged 20 markers and 11 boards, while Chris Ross registered 11 points and 14 rebounds.

With the win, SMB is now tied with Meralco, Alaska, and Magnolia at 6-4. The Beermen will close out their elimination campaign on Tuesday against the NorthPort Batang Pier.

Ginebra (7-3) will play Terrafirma on Monday. They are tied with TNT on the top of the league standings.

Box scores:

San Miguel 81 – Tautuaa 20, Lassiter 12, Ross 11, Gamalinda 11, Cabagnot 11, Pessumal 7, Santos 7, Zamar 2, Comboy 0, Escoto 0.

Barangay Ginebra 66 – Aguilar 13, Thompson 12, Mariano 11, Tolentino 8, Caperal 7, Pringle 7, Chan 2, Dillinger 2, R. Aguilar 2, Dela Cruz 2, Devance 0, Tenorio 0, Balanza 0.

— Justin Kenneth Carandang/BM, GMA News