SMB got off to a fast start, racing to an 8-0 lead, taking advantage of Cameron Forte-less Northport, who is out with an injury.

The beermen went ahead and extended their lead by 27 points, 62-35, the biggest lead in the competition.

Northport’s Robert Bolick and Jamie Malonzo, along with SMB’s former star forward Arwind Santos, closed the gap to 88-91 on the fourth as Northport attempted to extend the game with an overtime.

Bolick and Malonzo both missed game-tying three-pointers in the final seconds of the game, failing to pull off a comeback and allowing San Miguel to win the series for the first time.

Import Brandon Brown led the way for the Beermen with 24 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists, and two steals.

Bolick registered 24 points, five rebounds, and eight assists, while Santos had 23 points, 11 rebounds, and two steals against his former club.

“We’re so lucky that we’re able to win against NorthPort despite a scary game for us,” said SMB coach Leo Austria. 

“We were leading by 27 points at kamuntikan pang mag-extension, and that’s for me a no-no and as a coach it really hurts”.

“Still, the players didn’t want to give up and a win is a win and this will give us some confidence going into the next game,” added Austria.

The Scores:

San Miguel 91 – Brown 24, Perez 15, Fajardo 15, Lassiter 12, Manuel 10, Pessumal 9, Romeo 6, Enciso 0, Tautuaa 0.

NorthPort 88 – Bolick 24, Santos 23, Malonzo 22, Slaughter 10, Taha 4, Ferrer 2, Grey 2, Balanza 1, Elorde 0, Doliguez 0, Rike 0. 

Quarters: 26-9, 49-31, 72-58, 91-88.