SMB shuts Meralco’s lights off in do-or-die semis, arranges finals duel vs. TNT

San Miguel booked the last 2022 PBA Philippine Cup finals ticket after it evaded a late rampage from Meralco en route to eking out a 100-89 victory in the deciding Game 7 of their semifinals duel on Wednesday.

With the hard-earned win, SMB will make its return to the championship round after missing out in the last two editions and earned the right to face TNT in the best-of-seven finals.

The Beermen led early on, holding a 34-14 cushion to begin the second period but the Bolts tried to put the lights out of San Miguel with an 11-0 surge that put them behind by just nine, 25-34.

But SMB knew what was at stake in the game, stopping Meralco's momentum just in time to end the halftime carrying a 45-31 advantage with Marcio Lassiter and June Mar Fajardo showing the way.

Meralco then tried to build on that energy after igniting in the fourth quarter with Cliff Hodge, Aaron Black, and Raymond Almazan helping them erase a huge deficit to just 10, 74-84, with 5:20 left.

But a closing run instigated by Simon Enciso, Fajardo, and Lassiter put the game away as San Miguel, a former five-peat All-Filipino champion, made its much-awaited comeback in the finals.

Fajardo flaunted a double-double effort of 29 points, 14 rebounds, two assists, and one block while CJ Perez, who piloted their third quarter rampage, poured 18 markers and nine dimes.

Lassiter had 16 points while Vic Manuel and Jericho Cruz chipped in 13 and 12 markers apiece.

Hodge registered 23 points in the loss to go along with eight boards and four assists while Chris Newsome and Black chimed in with 14 and 13 markers, respectively.

The Scores:

San Miguel 100 - Fajardo 29, Perez 18, Lassiter 16, Manuel 13, Cruz 12, Tautuaa 7, Enciso 5, Brondial 0, Ross 0.

Meralco 89 - Hodge 23, Newsome 14, Black 13, Almazan 12, Banchero 8, Hugnatan 8, Quinto 7, Maliksi 4, Pascual 0, Pasaol 0, Jose 0.

Quarter Scores: 26-12, 45-31, 73-54, 100-89.

— BM, GMA News