IT IS amazing enough to watch Philadelphia erase a 21-point deficit to win an NBA game on Sunday morning. Then, in the evening, it was San Miguel Beer practically replicating Philadelphia’s feat. The Beermen rallied from 26 points down to score a pulsating 115-110 win over the Meralco Bolts.
It’s been a double treat, indeed, to complete my so-called Sweet Sunday Show.
Tyrese Maxey, 21, starred in the Philadelphia thriller to more than complement the equally sterling performances of his teammates Joel Embiid and James Harden. Tyrese fired a game-high 33 points, completing a 20-plus game five times in a row. Chris Ross forced import Tony Bishop, the Meralco machine, to fumble scoring feeds to preserve Shabazz Muhammad’s heroics in San Miguel’s colossal win for a good-for-the-next-round 7-4 record.
Ross had this prideful reminder to his teammates before the game against Meralco: “You’re wearing a San Miguel jersey and it’s one of the most prestigious teams in PBA history.”
And what a response Ross got from Muhammad, who fired 57 points, 46 of which came in the explosive final half that saw the Beermen burn a 46-70 halftime deficit.
Not only was Muhammad ripping the nets at will in the last two frames, he was also crushing the boards as well to finish with 19 rebounds.
“You know, once my jumper gets in, it’s pretty tough to stop me,” said Muhammad, who was Meralco’s original choice of import but the deal went sour at the last minute.
“I think he’s in a groove now,” said Ross of Muhammad, who is SMB’s third import in the ongoing PBA Governors’ Cup.
Definitely, Muhammad has put the Beermen back in business.