MANILA – San Miguel Beermen snapped its five-game slide to score a 111-74 domination over TNT Tropang Giga in the 2023 PBA on Tour last night at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Marvin Lee led the way with 22 points, including five three-point conversions, while Ilonggo Jericho Cruz and Allyn Bulanadi added 20 markers as the Beermen notched its third win in nine games.
John Rodney Brondial tallied double-double 17 points and 13 rebounds, while Bacoolodnon Nico Paolo Javelona had nine points in his first game with the Beermen in the tournament.
From a 29-23 lead after the first 12 minutes, the Beermen created separation from the Tropang Giga in the second quarter behind basket from Cruz, Brondial and Bulanadi for a 55-36 halftime lead.
San Miguel Beer pulled away further in the second half with Lee, Bulanadi and Cruz connecting their outside shots as the lead reached its largest at 105-64 after a triple from Lee.
Frederick Tungcab ended with 30 points, including four three-point baskets, while Carl Bryan Cruz contributed 21 markers as the Tropang Giga remained win-less in six matches.
In the first game, Converge FiberXers broke away in the fourth quarter as they scored a 104-90 victory over the skidding Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters. The FiberXers improved to 4-4, while the Fuel Masters dropped to 3-5.
Holding to a slim 72-68 advantage after three quarters, the FiberXers opened the fourth quarter with three-pointers from Kevin Racal and Alec Stockton and inside hits from Aklanon Keith Zaldivar and Jeo Ambohot for an 86-73 advantage.
The Fuel Masters managed to trim the deficit to 10 points but back-to-back triples from Jolo Mendoza and Zaldivar widened the lead to its biggest at 18 points following an inside shot from Mike Nieto.
Mendoza top-scored for the FiberXers with 26 points, Nieto added 20 markers, while Stockton had a near triple-double numbers of 15 assists, 10 rebounds and nine markers in the win.
BOX SCORE:
SAN MIGUEL 111 – Lee 22, Cruz 20, Bulanadi 20, Brondial 17, Javelona 9, Faundo 6, Dela Cruz 6, Baclao 4, De Vera 3, Apacible 2, Lazarte 2.
TNT 74 – Tungcab 30, Cruz 21, Alfaro 8, Jopia 5, Montalbo 4, Varilla 4, Marcelo 2, Cuntapay 0.
Quarterscores: 29-23, 55-36, 83-56, 111-74./PN
