MANILA – San Miguel Beermen displayed its offensive firepower from start to finish to waylaid Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings, 90-78, in the 2023 PBA on Tour last night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Terrence Romeo led the way with 21 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals, while Ilonggo Jericho Cruz chipped in 18 markers as the Beermen improved to 2-1 win-loss slate.
Jaymar Perez made his debut in the pre-season tournament with 15 markers, Rodney Brondial had double-double 12 points and 16 rebounds, while Allyn Bulanadi had 10 points for the Beermen.
After the Gin Kings took the early lead at 8-7, the Beermen leaned on conversions from Brondial and Cruz followed by a three-pointer from Marvin Lee as they surged to a 23-13 advantage.
The Beermen went on to pull away in the second quarter with three-pointers from Lee and Cruz and conversions from Perez for a 45-27 halftime lead before building its largest lead at 24 points in the fourth quarter.
Kim Aurin finishes with 18 points, five rebounds and four assists, Aljon Mariano chipped in 17 markers, while Raymond Aguilar tallied 14 markers and nine rebounds for the 0-1 Gin Kings.
In the first game, Meralco Bolts showed its steadiness in the endgame to score a 96-88 victory over Converge FiberXers. The Bolts improved its record to 2-1, while the FiberXers dropped to 1-2.
Holding to a slim 85-84 lead late in the fourth quarter, the Bolts managed to pull away via a three-pointer from Ilonggo Anjo Caram, two free throws from Raymond Almazan and a layup from Clifford Hodge for a 92-84 edge.
The FiberXers made its last push at 88-92 on six free throw connections with 57 seconds left but two free throws each from Hodge and Kier John Quinto widened the Bolts’ lead to eight.
Allein Maliksi top-scored for the Bolts with 16 points, Caram and Hodge added 15 and 14 markers, respectively, Almazan and Quinto ended with 11 points each, while Alvin Pasaol chipped in 10 points.
BOX SCORE:
SAN MIGUEL 90 – Romeo 21, Cruz 18, Perez 15, Brondial 12, Bulanadi 10, Lee 8, Faundo 3, Baclao 2, Tautuaa 1, De Vera 0, Apacible 0.
GINEBRA 78 – Aurin 18, Mariano 17, R. Aguilar 14, Gray 9, Pessumal 6, Salcedo 4, Pinto 3, Espanola 3, Dillinger 2, David 2, Gumaru 0.
Quarterscores: 23-13, 45-27, 71-52, 90-78./PN
