San Miguel bounces back, adds to Rain or Shine’s woes

Both desperate for a win, the San Miguel Beermen emerged victorious against the struggling Rain or Shine with a 104-100 win in the 2021 PBA Governors' Cup on Thursday at the Araneta Coliseum.

Import Shabazz Muhammad, playing just in his second game for SMB, lived up to the billing by leading his side with a double-double effort of 33 points and 21 rebounds as they improved to 6-4.

Muhammad added six assists and a block to his impressive stat line while guard Terrence Romeo chipped in 17 markers and six dimes. Vic Manuel was also pivotal with 18 points.

The Beermen led by as much as 19 at one juncture in the second quarter but their lead was trimmed down as the Elasto Painters came up with multiple attempts for a comeback in the third period.

A basket by Javee Mocon put Rain or Shine within just five points, 63-68, with barely four minutes left in the third.

SMB, though, kept hold of its lead by the end of the frame despite back-to-back triples from Jewel Ponferada as Muhammad drilled four of San Miguel's last 10 points, 76-72.

Surprisingly, Rain or Shine outscored San Miguel in the third quarter, 28-18.

While veteran bruiser Beau Belga hit triple after triple in the final stretch of the fourth canto, it was Rey Nambatac's crucial layup that brought Rain or Shine to just within two, 96-98, with only 1:10 ticks left.

Following a quick basket from Manuel, 102-98, Mocon went to drill two free throws to bring the ballgame to just a 102-100 affair. Putting the icing on the cake was Muhammad whose game-sealing charities delivered the goods for SMB. 

Despite the win, SMB saw limited outputs from its usual gunners with Chris Ross and Marcio Lassiter going scoreless.

Rain or Shine, on the other hand, got solid minutes from import Henry Walker who poured in 23 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists as they moved on cusp of elimination with a 3-7 card behind four-game losing streak.

The scores:

San Miguel 104 - Muhammad 33, Manuel 18, Romeo 17, Fajardo 14,  Perez 11, Tautuaa 8, Cruz 3, Brondial 0, Ross 0, Lassiter 0.

Rain or Shine 100 - Walker 23, Belga 19, Nambatac 17, Ponferada 15, Mocon 10, Asistio 9, Norwood 3, Nieto 2, Torres 2,  Tolentino 0, Jackson 0, Borboran 0,

Quarters: 33-21, 58-44, 76-72, 104-100.

– RC, GMA News