SAN MIGUEL Beer is back with a vengeance.
The Beermen redeemed themselves from a heartbreaking overtime setback to Terrafirma by humbling previously unbeaten Talk N Text, 83-67, in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Don Honorio Ventura State University Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.
Marcio Lassiter came through with game-high 19 points, six rebounds, and three assists, while Terrence Romeo added 16 points, four rebounds and four assists for the Beermen, who improved to 4-2 in the overall standings.
CJ Perez and Mo Tautuaa also stepped up for the Beermen with 13 points apiece.
Earlier, Magnolia Ang Pambansang Manok rallied from the depth of a ⁸16-point eficit to subdue NLEX, 112-105, in double overtime.
Calvin Abueva was the man of the hour for the Hotshots as he posted a league- high fourth double-double with 23 points and 12 rebounds.
Abueva's fellow Pampanga star, Ian Sangalang, took over in the second extra period by scoring six of his 21 points as the Hotshots completed a dramatic climb from as many as 16 points down.
"It's all about grit and determination, said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero, whose team boosted its record to 6-2 and solo second place.
"I think we were down by (16) in the third quarter. We just tried to be composed. Ang sabi ko sa mga players , just try to limit our turnovers and at the same time maibaba lang sa single-digit pagdating ng fourth quarter. Then 'yun, unti-unti," added Victolero.
The Hotshots also drew big game from sophomore forward Aris Dionisio, who nailed an off-balanced three-point shot -- his third of the game -- to tie the score at 104 w ith 2.4 seconds left in the first overtime.
Dionisio even had the chance to win it outright for Magnolia when he recovered the missed bonus free throw off a follow by JR Quinahan, but his follow-up bounced hard off the glass just before the buzzer.
Dionisio finished with 11 points.
Paul Lee had 18 points, and Mark Barroca contributed13 points, seven rebounds and five assists for Magnolia.
"I'm very proud of this group of guys ,"said Victolero. "Kasi they don't give up. 'Yung efforts nila sobrang deserving talaga silang manalo. Second overtime ;yung puso nila and 'yung energy nila nandoon pa rin."
Jericho Cruz topscored with 21 points for NLEX, which dropped to a 4-3 record after seeing its four-game winning streak come to a screeching halt.
Three other players also scored in double figures for the Road Warriors who established an 82-66 lead in the third quarter.
Still, NLEX had the chance to win it after Lee's charity split pegged a 94-all count and the Road Warriors regained possession.

The scores:
      First game
     Magnolia (112) - Abueva 23, Sangalang 21, Lee 18, Barroca 13, Dionisio 11, Corpuz 9, Ahanmisi 6, Jalalon 6, Dela Rosa 2, Pascual 2, Reavis 1, Brill 0, Melron 0, De Leon 0, Capobres 0.
     NLEX (105) - Cruz 21, Trollano 15, Quinahan 14, Porter 13, Semerad 12, Alas 9, Miranda 8, Soyud 7, Oftana 3, Paniamogan 3, Ighalo 0, Ayonayon 0, McAloney 0, Galanza 0.
     Quarterscores: 29-26, 45-49, 71-84, 94-94, 104-104, 112-105.
       Second game
       San Miguel (83) - Lassiter 19, Romeo 16, Tautuaa 13, Perez 13, Santos 9, Fajardo 8, Ross 3, Zamar 2, Pessumal 0, Gamalinda 0.
     Talk N Text  (67)  - Montalbo 13, Heruela 10, Pogoy 10, Rosario 9, M. Williams 7, Alejandro 7, Erram 5, Marcelo 3, Mendoza 2, Castro 1, Exciminiano 0, Reyes 0, K. Williams 0.
     Quarterscores: 24-10, 43-30, 64-44, 83-67.
     Third game
     Ginebra (83) - Standhardinger 16, Tenorio 15, Aguilar 15, Thompson 14, Caperal 11, Pringle 10, Mariano 2, Dillinger 0, Salado 0, Tolentino 0, Ayaay 0, R. Aguilar 0.
     RaIn or Shine  (77) -- Nambatac 18, Asistio 14, Belga 12, Torres 10, Mocon 9, Yap 5, Borboran 4, Caracut 3, Wong 2, Guinto 0, Norwood 0, Johnson 0, Tolentino 0, Ponferrada 0, Santillan 0.
     Quarterscores: 21-23, 35-35, 57-50, 83-77. Ed Andaya

Kevin Alas of NLEX looks to make a play against Jack Corpuz of Magnolia in their PBA game in Bacolor, Pampanga. PBA photo
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