MANILA – San Miguel Beermen returned to their winning ways in the 2020 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup following an 81-66 manhandling of sister team Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings at the AUF Sports Arena and Cultural Center in Pampanga last night.
Moala Tautuaa tallied double-double 20 points and 11 rebounds while Marcio Lassiter added 12 markers as the defending champions Beermen snapped their two-game losing skid.
Chris Ross posted double-double 11 points and 14 rebounds while Riego Gamalinda and Alex Cabagnot also had 11 markers each as San Miguel Beer tied Meralco Bolts and Magnolia Hotshots at 6-4.
The Bolts netted their sixth win following a 95-93 escape over TerraFirma Dyip on a game-winner by Chris Newsome while the Hotshots registered their fifth straight triumph at the expense of also-ran NorthPort Batang Pier, 83-76.
After losing their last two matches, the Beermen showed determination early on and established a 53-34 advantage behind conversions from Lassiter, Arwind Santos and Von Pessumal.
The Kings responded with a huge rally in the third period to come to as close as 53-56, but the Beermen drew timely conversions from Tautuaa, Cabagnot and Ross to maintain the double-digit edge the rest of the way.
Japeth Aguilar tallied 13 points before curiously sitting out almost the entire second half, Earl Scottie Thompson had a near triple-double 12 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds as the Kings remained at No. 1 spot with a 7-3 W-L slate.
Stanley Pringle, who led Ginebra in their last three victories, was also benched as he finished with just seven points, two rebounds, three assists and four turnovers.
Meanwhile, Javee Mocon finally broke his personal scoring slump as Rain or Shine Elasto Painters halted their three-game losing run with an 82-71 victory over the lowly Blackwater Elite.
Holding to a slim 38-34 lead at the half, the Painters broke away from the Elite in the third quarter with three-point conversions from Beau Belga and Adrian Wong followed by inside shots from Mocon and Ryan Arana for a 63-45 edge.
Blackwater, however, threatened early in the fourth period to trim the deficit to 54-65, but Rain or Shine responded with conversions from Mocon and Ilonggo Clint Doliguez for a 75-56 advantage.
Mocon finished the match with double-double 19 points and 13 rebounds while Belga chipped in 14 markers for the Painters (5-4). Antiqueño Rey Mark Belo ended up with 14 points for the Elite (1-8).
BOX SCORE:
SAN MIGUEL 81 – Tautuaa 20, Lassiter 12, Gamalinda 11, Ross 11, Cabagnot 11, Santos 7, Pessumal 7, Zamar 2, Escoto 0, Comboy 0, Mamaril 0.
GINEBRA 66 – J. Aguilar 13, Thompson 12, Mariano 11, Tolentino 8, Pringle 7, Caperal 7, Dillinger 2, Chan 2, Dela Cruz 2, R. Aguilar 2, Tenorio 0, Devance 0, Balanza 0, Salado 0.
QUARTERSCORES:
Q1, 27-22; Q2, 53-36; Q3, 64-56; Q4, 81-66./PN
