MANILA -- San Miguel Beer weathered a fourth-quarter rally of Talk ‘N Text to hang on for 100-90 win in the KFC-Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup Wednesday night at the Araneta Coliseum.

Mick Pennisi drilled a back-breaking three-pointer in the closing minute to seal the win for the Beermen, their second straight after dropping their first two assignments in the tournament.

Arwind Santos and Dondon Hontiveros had 17 points, 9 rebounds and a steal each for San Miguel, which handed the first loss of the Tropang Texters in four matches.

“It’s a good feeling to win two straight after losing two in a row,” said Beermen mentor Siot Tanquingcen, who also drew 15 points and 8 rebounds from Pennisi.

“The players are committed to play defense. We just made sure that we challenge all their shots,” he added.

Jimmy Alapag led Talk ‘N Text with 22 points while Jason Castro added 20. Mark Cardona and Ali Peek contributed 16 and 13 markers respectively for coach Chot Reyes.

The Beermen led from start to finish and even erected their biggest margin at 79-61 early in the fourth period before the Tropang Texters unleashed a series of runs only to fall short.

The defending champion cut the lead to five twice, 88-93 on Castro’s back-to-back baskets, and 90-95 on Cardona’s two of three free throws.

After that, Pennisi pulled the trigger – a long triple at the right flank to give the Beermen a 98-90 spread with 42 seconds left in the game.

Ranidel de Ocampo and Alapag missed their three-point attempts to yield the victory to San Miguel, which joined Burger King at the middle of the team standings with 2-2 mark.

Talk ‘N Text is now tied with Barangay Ginebra for second place with 3-1 slate, a game behind league-leading Alaska (4-0).

Barako nails second win

Barako Bull meanwhile needed a strong second quarter push then denied Rain or Shine’s every attempt to get back for an 89-81 win.

This is the Bull’s second win after four games.

Veteran center Alex Crisano, Leo Najorda and Richard Alonzo carried the cudgels for the Energy Boosters who are now in their best start in the last three conferences with 2-2 win-loss mark.

Alonzo finished with career-highs 15 points and 11 rebounds, his first double-double game while Crisano and Najorda added 14 points apiece for Barako Bull, which snapped a five-game losing streak to Elato Painters.

“We had a great first two quarters and going in the locker room with 21 points, malaking insurance na ‘yun kahit papaano,” said Energy Boosters mentor Leo Isaac who also got 9 points each from Magnum Membrere and rookie Ogie Menor.

“We knew they will make a comeback in the second half but as long as we play good defense, do not give them easy points, we have enough cushion in the game,” he added.