WATCH: San Miguel vs Meralco Highlights [SF Game 5 | Season 47 PH Cup | August 12, 2022]

With a crucial salvo at endgame, San Miguel Beer beat Meralco, 89-78, in a well-fought tiff to close in on a return trip to the PBA Philippine Cup Finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday night.

Just as the Bolts got to within two on a three-pointer by Allein Maliksi, the Beermen responded with a 9-0 tear for an 87-76 spread entering the final minute of the game.

Rodney Brondial starred in that clutch binge, with the 6-foot-5 forward scoring all of his five markers in that run to personally beat the Bolts and send the Beermen on the brink of the best-of-seven title playoff.

With the pivotal 3-2 series lead, the Beermen will be out for the closeout job at 4:30 p.m. Sunday at the Big Dome.

A do-or-die Game 7, if necessary, is Wednesday.

Jericho Cruz also had a clutch effort in a big bounceback from a two-point showing in the previous game.

In the postgame interview, he said they would try their best to go for the kill in Game 6.

“Di ako pinatulog nung laro ko last time. Para sa akin, pinakapangit na laro ko yun. And going to this game, my mindset was just to be me,” said Cruz, who sparkled with 17 points, including 2-of-4 three-pointers, off the bench.