MANILA – San Miguel Beermen returned to their winning ways in the 2023 PBA Commissioner’s Cup via a 95-82 beating of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Chris Ross tallied a conference-high of 22 points, including six three-point conversions, while Ilonggo Jericho Cruz and newly-acquired player Celedonio Trollano contributed 16 markers apiece for the Beermen.
Jaymar Perez finished with 13 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, while import Ivan Aska contributed 10 markers in his farewell game for the Beermen, which improved to 4-3 win-loss slate.
Holding to a slim 24-22 lead after the first quarter, the Beermen created separation in the second quarter behind Trollano and Ross for a 56-36 halftime lead, which later grew to as high as 24 points in the second half.
The Gin Kings, behind its bench players, went on a huge run in the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to 75-79, but the Beermen responded with shots from Cruz, Ross, and Perez to increase the lead back to 95-81.
Tony Bishop Jr. finished with 20 points and nine rebounds, Maverick Ahanmisi added 13 markers, Jamie Malonzo and Von Pessumal ended with 11 markers apiece, while Stanley Pringle contributed 10 as the Gin Kings dropped to 4-3.
In the first game, TNT Tropang Giga relied on a huge third quarter rampage to whip the skidding Blackwater Bossing, 105-96. The Tropang Giga hiked its record to 4-3, while the Bossing dropped to 1-7.
Holding to a slim 52-51 lead at the half, the Tropang Giga broke away in the third quarter behind Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Bacolodnon Kib Montalbo and Frederick Tungcab to establish an 85-68 lead.
The Tropang Giga’s lead grew to as high as 19 points at 92-73 in the fourth quarter after a triple by Calvin Oftana before the Bossing came up with late conversions to close their losing margin.
Hollis-Jefferson had a near triple-double of 42 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assist, Oftana added 14 points and eight rebounds, while Montalbo and Khobuntin had 10 points each for the Tropang Giga./PN
BOX SCORE:
SAN MIGUEL 95 – Ross 22, Trollano 16, Cruz 16, Perez 13, Aska 10, Romeo 9, Tautuaa 6, Lassiter 3, Brondial 0.
GINEBRA 82 – Bishop 20, Ahanmisi 13, Malonzo 11, Pessumal 11, Pringle 10, J. Aguilar 6, Standhardinger 4, Tenorio 3, Onwubere 3, Cu 1, Gumaru 0.
Quarterscores: 24-22, 56-36, 73-52, 95-82.
