By: Christian Jasper Arenal
 |
| PHOTO BY: pba.inquirer.net. Arwind Santos took a jumper over Alaska forward Calvin Abueva |
Manila, Philippines-- Led by the combined efforts of Arwind
Santos and Chris Ross, the San Miguel Beermen drew the series against the
Alaska Aces in a game featuring various altercations between the two teams on
Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
With good ball movement and some hot shooting from downtown, the
Beermen held a 51-48 after two quarters. Alaska fought back at the start of the
second half, showing the defense that enabled them to get to the Finals.
However, skirmishes between players on both teams marred the
highly-anticipated game 2 in the best-of-seven series between the two teams.
Such was the physicality of the game that three technical, and one flagrant,
fouls were called in just the opening quarter. Santos was even forced to leave
the game momentarily after sustaining a bloody scalp when he was elbowed in a
rebound play by Abueva.
Santos shrugged off the injury and hit a three pointer in his
return at the start of the fourth quarter, increasing the Beermen’s lead to 17.
SMB managed to hold Alaska to only four fourth-quarter points while scoring nineteen
of their own. All efforts to crawl back were denied as SMB held on for a 100-86
victory.
The win leveled the series to one
apiece for the Beermen in a race to four series for the Philippine Cup crown.
Arwind Santos topped all scorers with 22 points on a 9 of 16 shooting. Chris Lutz
added 20 markers while reigning MVP June Mar Fajardo finished with 15 points
and 12 rebounds.
Sonny Thoss led Alaska with 16
points.
Quarterscores: 32-28; 51-48;
72-70; 110-86
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