Meralco downs San Miguel in Game 4 to tie semis series

Meralco relied on a hot start and a steady effort after the half as they sent San Miguel crashing in Game 4, 111-97, to tie their semifinals series in the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup on Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum.

With Meralco's convincing victory, the best-of-seven series is now knotted at 2-2.

Aaron Black led the Bolts, posting an all-around outing of 21 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, and one steal while Allein Maliksi finished with 19 markers and four boards.

Eager to avoid sinking to a 1-3 series hole, Meralco exploded for 36 points in the first period—the most scoring production in an opening quarter by any team this conference—while limiting SMB to just 23.

Meralco even led by 19 early in the second, 43-24, but that advantage was nearly wiped out by the halftime break as the Beermen retaliated and came within 55-53 after a triple from Marco Lassiter.

The Bolts managed to hold onto a 58-53 cushion heading to the second half.

But it became a one-sided affair from that point on with Meralco being able to establish an 88-71 lead at the end of the third period as Raymond Almazan dropped 12 of his 17 points.

Despite a comfortable lead, the Bolts matched the Beermen's energy in the fourth en route to the win. 

Aside from Black, Maliksi, and Almazan, Cliff Hodge proved steady with 18 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and two blocks.

CJ Perez led SMB with 24 points and eight rebounds while Lassiter and June Mar Fajardo collected 23 and 21 markers each.

The scores:

MERALCO 111- Black 21, Maliksi 19, Hodge 18, Almazan 17, Quinto 11, Newsome 8, Baclao 4, Belo 4, Hugnatan 3, Pascual 2, Banchero 2, Jose 2, Caram 0, Pasaol 0, Johnson 0.

SAN MIGUEL 97 - Perez 24, Lassiter 23, Fajardo 21, Brondial 9, Manuel 9, Canete 4, Zamar 3, Cruz 2, Pessumal 1, Tautuaa 1, Ross 0, Enciso 0, Canete 0, Herndon 0.

Quarters: 36-23, 58-53, 88-71, 111-97.

—JMB, GMA News