By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

THE San Miguel Beermen bounced back from a previous loss in the Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup by defeating the Columbian Dyip, 113-107, on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Absorbed their first defeat in the season-ending PBA tournament last time around, the Beermen avoided dropping a second straight game by holding off a gallant stand from the Dyip (3-4) to improve to a 5-1 record and stay within reach of the league leaders.

The contest got off to a competitive start with the teams going on runs to push their respective causes.

Import Khapri Alston got the Dyip humming early but newly acquired Beerman Mo Tautuaa provided a solid counter to help San Miguel to a 28-26 lead by the end of the first 12 minutes.

The nip-and-tuck nature of the match extended into the second quarter with each team not budging a bit.

They fought to a 47-46 count with 3:20 left in the quarter, and San Miguel still on top, before Juami Tiongson spearheaded a 5-4 run by Columbian the rest of the way to seize the lead, 52-51, at the half.

Mr. Alston got Columbian to a good start anew to begin the reboot, pounding the middle to help his team to a 68-59 advantage by the 7:37 mark of the third frame.

The 16-8 run pushed San Miguel coach Leo Austria’s hand to sue for time.

The move paid off as on the lead of import Dez Wells the Beermen came to within three points, 75-72, with 2:55 left.

Columbian though survived the Beermen charge back, holding a four-point cushion, 80-76, entering the fourth quarter.

The teams jostled to start the fourth quarter as they tried to establish control for the homestretch.

The Dyip still had their head above water, 91-87, at the 7:10 mark.

San Miguel seized the lead, 94-93, after a made deuce by Alex Cabagnot with five minutes to go.

It would build on it in the next two minutes, jumping to a 10-2 run to stretch their lead to nine points, 104-95.

CJ Perez tried to tow Columbian back after but Mr. Wells was unrelenting in taking charge for the Beermen.

San Miguel held a 111-99 lead with 1:11 remaining.

It was a hole that the Dyip would not be able to recover from as they eventually slumped to the defeat.

Mr. Wells led all Beermen in scoring with 39 points to go along with nine rebounds, five assists and two blocks.

June Mar Fajardo had 19 points and Alex Cabagnot 15.

Terrence Romeo finished with 12 points with Mr. Tautuaa and Arwind Santos adding 10 points apiece.

Mr. Alston, meanwhile, led Columbian with 38 points and 25 rebounds.

He was backstopped by Messrs. Tiongson and Perez with 18 each and Rashawn McCarthy with 17 points.

“We knew from the start that this game will be tough for us. Columbian has been doing well against us this season,” said Mr. Austria postgame.

“We were in a hurry to beat Columbian but we were not effective in doing so. So we tried to find ways to get the best combinations and eventually we were able to find our game in the second half to help us win,” he added.

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