MANILA – Vic Manuel proved to be a thorn on the side of his former team. The San Miguel Beermen prevailed over Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters, 104-99, in the 2021-2022 PBA Governors’ Cup last night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Clinging to an 85-81 lead early in the final quarter, Manuel connected back-to-back baskets to kick off the Beermen’s pull away for an 87-75 edge following baskets from Orlando Johnson and June Mar Fajardo.
Phoenix threatened to within 94-99 with two minutes left but Manuel connected another inside hits and two free throws to widen San Miguel Beer’s edge to 102-94.
Manuel finished the match with 22 points, with eight coming in the fourth quarter, to go win nine rebounds. The Beermen notched back-to-back victories for a 5-3 slate.
Johnson added 23 points, nine rebounds and five assists, while Marcio Lassiter and Fajardo contributed 18 and 13 points, respectively, for San Miguel Beer.
Matthew Wright had 24 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, while Jason Perkins and Dominique Sutton added 20 markers apiece as the Fuel Masters dropped to 4-4.
In the first game, NLEX Road Warriors leaned on a strong start to topple Alaska Aces, 106-89, to move up to third place with 6-3 slate. The Aces dropped to 5-3.
Kevin Alas set the tone for the Road Warriors with 15 early points for a 29-9 lead. NLEX’s advantage reached 24 but Alaska trimmed it to 42-58 at the half.
The Aces keep the match close several times in the second half with the closest at 13 points but back-to-back triples from Kris Rosales and Ilonggo Jericho Cruz sealed the win for NLEX.
KJ McDaniels tallied double-double 27 points and 11 rebounds, while Cruz, Alas and Celedonio Trollano chipped in 21, 19 and 10 points, respectively, for NLEX.
BOX SCORE:
SAN MIGUEL 104 — Johnson 23, Manuel 22, Lassiter 18, Fajardo 13, Perez 9, Romeo 7, Ross 7, Tautuaa 3, Enciso 2, Brondial 0.
PHOENIX 99 — Wright 24, Sutton 20, Perkins 20, Jazul 9, Chua 8, Garcia 6, Pascual 4, Robles 4, Demusis 2, Manganti 2, Rios 0.
Quarterscores: 25-30, 49-47, 79-71, 104-99./PN
