SMB BENCH MOB STRIKES BACK

It’s San Miguel Beer’s turn to show its version of the “never say die” spirit and bench mob might.

- By OLMIN LEYBA

On the backfoot after a sizzling Barangay Ginebra start, the Beermen patiently clawed their way back and snatched a 93-84 tying win in Game 2 of the PBA Philippine Cup semis last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Unlike in their 90-99 loss in Sunday’s opener, the defending champions got their shock troopers led by Jeron Teng to give titan June Mar Fajardo a big helping hand in the bounceback mission.

Fajardo punched in 21 points and 23 rebounds, in the process becoming the first player in PBA history with a 20-20 card for a third straight game. JMF had 27-23 in Game 1 and posted 26-20 in SMB’s 101-94 disposal of NLEX in the quarterfinals.

Teng and the rest of the gang made sure the Kraken’s efforts wouldn't go down the drain.