Outgoing import Brown's buzzer-beating putback lifts SMB past Meralco

Import Ira Brown made his farewell stint with San Miguel a memorable one. He just happened to convert the game-winning basket Friday that finally shoved the Beermen into the win column of the PBA Commissioner's Cup. Brown's follow-up basket beat the final buzzer as San Miguel edged out Meralco, 90-89, in a thrilling finish at the Araneta Coliseum.

The winning shot came at the right time for the Beermen, who had wasted three cracks at the basket in the final 24 seconds after overcoming a five-point deficit (89-84) with 2:43 left in the game. Brown scored 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds — impressive numbers which unfortunately were not enough for him to keep his job with the Beermen. "Ganun talaga eh," said San Miguel coach Ato Agustin. "Kakausapin ko na lang mamaya. Maiintindihan naman niya ‘yun." The Beermen improved to 1-1 after the game that saw the team welcome three new players in their fold – Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Noy Baclao and Rey Guevarra – following the blockbuster trade with the Air21 Express last Wednesday. Al-Hussaini added 10 points and nine rebounds in his debut for the team, while Baclao only saw action for five minutes. Guevarra was not fielded. The Bolts suffered their third straight loss in as many outings to remain at the cellar of the import-laden tournament. But for a while, the Bolts were on the verge of pulling their first win after coming back from a 65-73 deficit early in the final period to take a five-point lead entering the final two minutes. San Miguel quickly recovered and was only behind by a point with 24 seconds left. Coming off a timeout, Jay Washington drove hard to the basket but lost the ball. Arwind Santos recovered the leather, but similarly lost possession to Sol Mercado, who in turn committed a blunder with a pass intended for Reynel Hugnatan. Washington went for a basket, but his shot rimmed out. The San Miguel big man was able to tap the ball, but missed the shot again. Santos also tried a putback, but also misfired, before Brown finally came through with that winning shot. "Breaks lang talaga 'yung panalo namin," Agustin added. "May halong swerte." Coming in to replace Brown is David Young, a veteran of the Chinese league and who plays both the no. 2 and 3 spots. He will suit up for the Beermen in their next game against Alaska Wednesday. Meralco also decided to replace Mexican league slam dunk champion Anthony Dandridge with Chamberlain Oguchi, a Nigerian-American and veteran of the National Basketball Association (NBA) Developmental League, who last played for the Maine Red Claws. Dandridge paced the Bolts with 23 points in his final outing. His completed alley-oop play gave Meralco an 84-77 lead before the Bolts collapsed at endgame. – JVP, KY, GMA News