SMB overcomes Phoenix 16-point lead to steal the game

The San Miguel Beermen climbed-up from a 16-point deficit to defeat the Phoenix Fuel Masters, 107-104, on Tuesday, December 3, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Marcio Lassiter rifled his 15th point in the game when he was found by Juami Tiongson in the open corner after a solid pick given by import Quincy Miller to give San Miguel a 105-104 lead.

Phoenix then still had a chance to get a knack at the basket with 2.3 seconds remaining but they threw the ball away forcing them to foul Beermen's Simon Enciso who sank both of his free throws.

Fuel Masters import Donovan Smith still had a chance to force the game to overtime when he made an attempt at the backcourt with 0.7 left in the game but his shot only hit the board.

The opening win of SMB gave the league a strong signal that they're still the defending champions of the mid-season conference.

Besides the heroics of Lassiter, San Miguel also relied on CJay Perez who produced the team-high 18 points, to go along with three assists, two rebounds, two blocks, and one steal.

Miller was also solid in his debut as a Beermen as he registered a double-double of 15 markers and 10 boards, with three dimes, three deflections and one rejection.

Don Trollano led SMB's bench mob with 14, while new recruits Tiongson and Andreas Cahilig contributed 14 and 12, respectively.

On the other hand, Smith paced Phoenix with a game-high 37 points, to go along 15 rebounds, four assists, and two blocks.

He was supported by the combined 44 points of Tyler Tio and Jason Perkins.

The Beermen will next face the NLEX Road Warriors on December 8 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, while the Fuel Masters will meet Barangay Ginebra on December 13 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

SAN MIGUEL 107 - Perez 18, Lassiter 15, Miller 14, Trollano 14, Cahilig 12, Cruz 8, Tiongson 8, Fajardo 8, Enciso 5, Ross 3, Brondial 2, Tautuaa 0.

PHOENIX 104 - Smith 37, Tio 23, Perkins 21, Tuffin 7, Jazul 4, Rivero 4, Garcia 3, Manganti 3, Ballungay 2, Ular 0, Camacho 0, Verano 0, Alejandro 0.

Quarter Scores: 28-29, 54-49, 71-80, 107-104.