MANILA – San Miguel Beermen got away with timely conversions in the endgame to defeat Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 115-110, in the 2023 PBA Commissioner’s Cup last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
With the score tied at 108-all after two free throws by Painters’ Jhonard Clarito, the Beermen took the lead at 111-108 after a three-pointer by Marcio Lassiter with 43 seconds left.
Following misses by the Painters, the Beermen got three free throws from Chris Ross to widen the lead to 114-108 before reinforcement Ivan Aska added a free throw to seal the victory.
Aska finished with a double-double of 28 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Beermen, while Lassiter chipped in conference-high 23 points, including six three-point conversions.
Jaymar Perez contributed a double-double of 17 points and 12 rebounds, while June Mar Fajardo and Ilonggo Jericho Cruz ended with 16 and 10 markers, respectively, as the Beermen notched its third straight victory for a 3-1 record.
Gian Mamuyac tallied a career-high of 33 points, Rey Nambatac added 16 markers, while Clarito and rookie Adrian Nocum ended with 14 and 12 markers, respectively, as the Painters remained win-less after five games.
In the first game, Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters broke away in the second quarter for a lopsided 103-84 victory over Terrafirma Dyip to move up to second place with 4-1 win-loss slate. The Dyip dropped to 2-3.
From a slim 23-19 lead after the first 12 minutes, the Fuel Masters leaned on three-pointers by RJ Jazul, Raffy Verano and Tyler Tio and inside hits by Johnathan Williams for a 48-32 halftime lead.
The Fuel Masters continued its run in the second half on inside attacks by Williams as the lead reached as high as 30 points at 91-61 on inside connections by Verano and RR Garcia.
Williams led the way with a double-double of 29 points and 13 rebounds, Jazul and Jason Perkins added 13 and 11 markers, respectively, while Tio and Ricci Rivero ended with 10 points each for the Fuel Masters./PN
BOX SCORE:
SAN MIGUEL 115 – Aska 28, Lassiter 23, Perez 17, Fajardo 16, Cruz 10, Enciso 6, Ross 6, Bulanadi 5, Brondial 4, Tautuaa 0.
RAIN OR SHINE 110 – Mamuyac 33, Nambatac 16, Clarito 14, Nocum 12, Caracut 9, Treadwell 8, Borboran 7, Demusis 5, Belga 3, Belo 2, Santillan 1.
Quarterscores: 21-32, 53-53, 85-86, 115-110.
