MANILA — The San Miguel Beermen had to fight for dear life before finally subduing the Phoenix Fuel Masters, 109-107, in the PBA Governors’ Cup Wednesday night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

Their seventh win in 10 outings allowed the Beermen to tie NLEX and TNT at third to fifth spot ahead of their final elimination round game Sunday against the Meralco Bolts.

The scary SMB win followed an equally closed six-point victory against winless Kia Saturday.

Terrence Watson scored back-to-back baskets to put the Beermen up for good, before June Mar Fajardo and Alex Cabagnot iced the game from the charity stripe as they jacked up their win-loss record to 7-3 to gain a share of third spot with NLEX and TNT.

The already eliminated Fuel Masters ended the season on a sour note with their ninth straight loss after starting the conference with two wins. For most parts of the game though, it looked like the Fuel Masters would finally end their string of bad luck as they fought the Beermen on even terms.

But it was not meant to be as the Beermen unleashed just enough firepower to finally prevail. Import Terrence Watson led SMB with 26 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, three steals, and three blocks. June Mar Fajardo added 24 markers, 17 boards, six blocks, and four assists.

Alex Cabagnot poured 24 points, 13 boards and six assists. Marcio Lassiter and Arwind Santos added 15 and 13 markers, respectively as they combined for five three-pointers.

Brandon Brown led Phoenix with 30 points and 17 boards. Jeff Chan finished with 18 while JC Intal and Joseph Eriobu added 12 and 10 respectively, in a losing effort.

Rain or Shine 112, Alaska 82

The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters kept their hopes alive for a Top 4 finish, demolishing a crippled and already eliminated Alaska Aces squad, 112-82.

It was the Painters’ sixth win in 10 games, lifting ROS to sixth place in the standings ahead of their final elimination round game against the Blackwater Elite Saturday.

Seven Painters scored at least nine points each in a balanced offensive as the Aces ended their dismal season with a 3-8 win-loss card. J’Nathan Bullock led ROS with 14 points, scoring eight of them in the second quarter where the Painters began pulling away, outscoring Alaska, 34-18.

Jericho Cruz added 12, including 10 in the third quarter when the Painters extended their lead to as much as 37 points. Beau Belga also tallied 12 points along with seven boards, two assists, and one steal. Don Trollano added 11, while Chris Tiu, Billy Robles and Mark Borboran all had nine points.

Alaska coach Alex Compton decided not field two of the team’s main stars—Calvin Abueva and Sonny Thoss—for still unexplained reasons. Buck Henton led the Aces with 20 points, seven boards, and three blocks, but all for naught.

Earlier, it was announced that long-time Alaska mainstays Tony dele Cruz and Dondon Hontiveros would be retiring after the game. Dela Cruz played his last game for Alaska, coming up with 12 points. Hontiveros was only good for two points.

Games Friday: Kia Picanto (0-10) vs. Star Hotshots (5-4) and GlobalPort Batang Pier (3-7) vs. Meralco Bolts (7-2).