MANILA – San Miguel Beermen survived a tough stand by the also-ran Blackwater Bossing for a 125-117 victory in the 2023-2024 PBA Commissioner’s Cup last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
After seeing their 17-point lead cut to as low as 106-107 by a furious Bossing run, the Beermen created a separation via inside hits from June Mar Fajardo and Celedonio Trollano and a triple from Chris Ross for a 114-106 lead.
The Bossing responded with a basket from import Chris Ortiz to make it a six-point game, but the Beermen got a three-point play from Trollano to stretch the lead to 117-108.
Blackwater made its last push at 115-119 on back-to-back inside hits by Tyrus Hill, but six free throw conversions by Ilonggo Jericho Cruz sealed the victory for San Miguel Beer.
Bennie Boatwright Jr. finished with a double-double of 44 points and 12 rebounds to go with five assists, while Jaymar Perez and Terrence Romeo chipped in 15 and 14 markers, respectively, for the Beermen.
Cruz contributed 12 markers, Fajardo made his return from injury with 11 points, nine rebounds, and six assists, while Trollano ended up with 10 markers for SMB.
For finishing the elimination round with an 8-3 win-loss record, the Beermen has locked in the No. 3 seed in the quarterfinals and will have a twice-to-beat edge over the no.6 ranked team.
Ortiz ended up with 43 points, 15 rebounds, and five assists in his farewell game with the Bossing, while Hill backed him up with 14 markers to go with eight rebounds.
Rey Suerte chipped in with 13 points, five assists, four rebounds, and three steals, and Baser Amer contributed 12 markers in potentially his final game with Blackwater before he test the free agency market.
With a 1-10 win-loss slate, the Jeffrey Cariaso is poised to end up at 12th and last place in the season-opening conference./PN
BOX SCORE:
SAN MIGUEL 125 – Boatwright 44, Perez 15, Romeo 14, Cruz 12, Fajardo 11, Trollano 10, Tautuaa 8, Ross 6, Teng 5, Lassiter 0.
BLACKWATER 117 – Ortiz 43, Hill 14, Suerte 13, Amer 12, Kwukuteye 9, Sena 8, DiGregorio 7, Guinto 4, Ilagan 3, Concepcion 2, Jopia 2, Escoto 0.
QUARTERS: 27-25, 63-51, 98-86, 125-117.
