MANILA – San Miguel Beermen showed their steadiness in the endgame to defeat Blackwater Bossing, 115-102, in the 2024-25 PBA Commissioner’s Cup last night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
With the Bossing threatening to within 93-97 with over six minutes left, the Beermen leaned on a basket and split free throw by Torren Jones to stretch the lead to 100-93 before Blackwater cut it to 95-100 on a George King basket.
Consecutive inside baskets from June Mar Fajardo followed by a jumper from Aklanon Andreas Cahilig increased the Beermen’s lead to 106-95 before they secured the win on conversions from Jones.
Fajardo finished with a double-double of 27 points and 22 rebounds to go with six assists to be named Player of the Game as the Beermen notched their second straight win for a 3-2 record.
“Kailangan lang talaga na i-push ko ‘yung sarili ko, kailangan din naming mag dig deep kasi gusto naming manalo eh,” Fajardo said. “Pero collective effort din ito ng team at ng coaching staff.”
Jones led the way for the Beermen with 29 points and 14 rebounds, Jaymar Perez added 15 markers, while Ilonggo Jericho Cruz and Celedonio Trollano had 14 and 11, respectively.
“Our import is still trying to adapt to the system that we have in the Philippines, slowly nahigitan niya, na ito ‘yung game plan namin and lumabas ‘yung pagka-hardworker niya,” Beermen head coach Leo Austria said, referring to Jones.
“With Torren’s arrival, tumaas ‘yung second chance points namin, madami rin siyang napulot na bola kanina and bumaba rin ‘yung turnovers namin the past few games,” he added.
King finished with 40 points, including four four-point conversions, while Sedrick Barefield and Christian David added 17 and 10 markers, respectively, as the Bossing dropped to 1-4./PN
BOX SCORE:
SAN MIGUEL 115 – Jones 29, Fajardo 27, Perez 15, Cruz 14, Trollano 11, Cahilig 8, Lassiter 5, Ross 4, Rosales 2, Tautuaa 0, Enciso 0, Brondial 0.
BLACKWATER 102 – King 40, Barefield 17, David 10, Ilagan 9, Chua 6, Ponferrada 6, Suerte 5, Kwekuteye 5, Guinto 4, Casio 0, Escoto 0, Hill 0.
Quarterscores: 18-26, 55-48, 85-77, 115-102.
