Eastern bounces back, outlasts San Miguel in OT

Eastern returned to the win column after beating San Miguel in overtime, 99-91, in the PBA Commissioner's Cup on Sunday at the Philsports Arena.

The Hong Kong-based squad was leading 87-84 with less than two minutes left in regulation before CJ Perez drilled a triple to tie the game. Hayden Blankley and Glen Yang missed their baskets, while Chris Ross made the final attempt in regulation, but failed to do so to force the game into overtime.

June Mar Fajardo opened the extra period with a basket but Eastern made a 9-0 run, capped by a Blankley layup to take a 96-89 lead. San Miguel's new import Jabari Narcis tried to salvage the game for the Beermen, but Yang's triple at the 00:43 mark sealed the victory for Eastern.

This is Eastern's second meeting with San Miguel this week after the two teams faced each other last Wednesday in the EASL where the Hong Kong-based squad also won, 71-62.

Yang had 26 points, while Chris McLaughlin had 18 points and 11 rebounds as Eastern bounced back after losing to NorthPort last Friday.

Narcis had 28 points and 10 rebounds in his SMB debut, while Fajardo led the locals with 23 points, 18 rebounds, five assists, and two blocks.

Scores:

Eastern 99 – Yang 26, McLaughlin 18, Blankley 15, Lam 13, Chan 10, Pok 6, Cao 5, Guinchard 3, Zhu 2, Cheung 1, Xu 0.

SMB 91 – Narcis 28, Fajardo 23, Perez 18, Lassiter 13, Rosales 3, Trollano 2, Tautuaa 2, Cruz 2, Ross 0, Tiongson 0, Brondial 0, Cahilig 0.

Quarters: 22-20, 51-41, 69-64, 98-87, 99-91.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News