MANILA – San Miguel Beermen thwarted numerous fightbacks from Meralco Bolts for a 110-98 victory in the retro-themed PBA Philippine Cup game on Wednesday night at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
June Mar Fajardo tallied a double-double of 28 points and 10 rebounds to go with four assists and a block to be named Player of the Game as the Beermen improved to a 2-0 win-loss slate.
Jaymar Perez led the way with 29 points, including three outside conversions, to go with five rebounds, four assists, and two steals, while Jeron Teng contributed 11 markers for the Beermen.
After seeing their early 17-point lead cut to 75-77 early in the fourth quarter, the Beermen leaned on outside baskets from Perez, Kris Rosales, and Juan Miguel Tiongson and inside hits from Fajardo to stretch the lead back to 92-81.
The Bolts made their last push to cut the deficit to 89-95, but a four-pointer from Perez followed by inside connections from Fajardo and free throws by Marcio Lassiter sealed the win for the Beermen.
“When Meralco was able to cut our lead down to two, that was a scary moment for us. But because of experience of our players, they know to win in that situation,” said Beermen head coach Leo Austria after the game.
Newsome finished with 27 points to lead the Bolts, Kurt Reyson added 14 markers, Negrense Raymar Jose and Aaron Black contributed 12 points apiece, and Clifford Hodge ended with 10 points as they fell to a 2-1 win-loss card.
Meawnhile, Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots secured their second straight win in as many matches by taking down Converge FiberXers, 83-71.
Ian Sangalang towered over his opposition to finish with 18 points and nine rebounds to be named Player of the Game as the Hotshots surged to joint first place with a 2-0 record.
Zavier Lucero added 18 markers, with 17 coming in the second half, while Russel Escoto made his presence felt offensively in the first half to tally 11 markers for the Hotshots./PN
BOX SCORE:
SAN MIGUEL 110 – Perez 29, Fajardo 28, Teng 11, Brondial 9, Lassiter 8, Tiongson 7, Rosales 7, Tautuaa 6, Trollano 5, Cahilig 0.
MERALCO 98 – Newsome 27, Reyson 14, Black 12, Jose 12, Hodge 10, Cansino 8, Bates 6, Almazan 5, Quinto 4, Torres 0, Rios 0, Caram 0, Pascual 0.
Quarterscores: 25-21, 52-38, 77-74, 110-98.
