By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

THE San Miguel Beermen try to go up 2-0 in their best-of-five Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup semifinal series with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters when action resumes today for Game Two at 7 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Went a game up after taking the series opener on Saturday, 111-105, the Beermen, the Philippine Cup champions, go for another victory that would push them on the brink of making it to the finals of the midseason PBA tournament and a shot at another title and keep their Grand Slam aspirations alive.

San Miguel struggled in the first 24 minutes of Game One as it trailed Rain or Shine, which was shooting at a solid 51% clip, throughout.

It, however, picked things up in the second half, led by import Chris McCullough and big man Christian Standhardinger, overtaking the Elasto Painters and eventually racing to the come-from-behind victory.

Mr. McCullough led the Beermen with 32 points, 14 rebounds and five assists in 45 minutes of play on the floor.

Mr. Standhardinger came off the bench to tally 20 points and eight boards to cushion for the subpar game of reigning league most valuable player June Mar Fajardo, who finished with just nine points, a rebound, two assists and two blocks.

Guard Chris Ross finished with 19 points while backcourt mate Alex Cabagnot had 12 points and seven assists.

Terrence Romeo was the other Beerman in double digits with 10 points to go along with six dimes.

After the win, Mr. Standhardinger highlighted the recovery they had as key to claiming the series opener.

“We’re usually a slow starter, but we did a good job fighting back then breaking through and getting the victory,” said the Filipino-German Standhardinger postgame in describing how it went for them in the contest.

“We’ve been playing catch-up basketball in the conference. It’s good that we finally take the lead this time. But we have to keep going and we have to keep playing hard,” he added as he alluded to how they had a rough elimination round, that saw them making an import change midway into the tournament en route to finishing barely making it to the playoffs with a 5-6 record.

REMAINS POSITIVE
Despite ruing the lost opportunity they had in the first game, Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia said they remain positive that they would be able to bounce back from the setback they absorbed.

“I think we did a good job today. It’s just that we did not get the win. But we still remain positive that we could pull things off,” the Rain or Shine coach said following Game One.

“We just have to lessen our turnovers. If we are able to do that then we will have a good shot,” he added.

The Elasto Painters was led in the series opener by import Carl Montgomery who finished with 20 points, 17 rebounds and five assists.

Gabe Norwood had 16 points with Norbert Torres adding 13 and Javee Mocon and Rey Nambatac 12 points apiece.

James Yap returned from injury to play, finishing with five points, two rebounds and a block in seven limited minutes.

The winner of the San Miguel-Rain or Shine series moves on and battles the victor between the TNT KaTropa and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings, which were to play Game Two of their own series later Sunday.

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