SAN Miguel opened its PBA Philippine Cup campaign with a 109-97 rout of Rain or Shine on Friday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
The Beermen showed no signs of rust after playing for the first time a month since being crowned as Commissioner’s Cup champions last February, beating the Elasto Painters emphatically after leading by as many as 20 points.
Jericho Cruz had a team-high 20 points for the Beermen while June Mar Fajardo had a double-double in his first game since recovering from a calf injury he sustained during the Commissioner’s Cup Finals against Magnolia.
The Elasto Painters slipped to 0-4, sharing the bottom of the team standings with Converge.
Fajardo had 15 points, 10 rebounds, and two blocks as he came off the bench for the Beermen in the contest.
Marcio Lassiter added 17 points, while Don Trollano had 16 points and nine rebounds for San Miguel, which held a 107-87 lead late in the fourth quarter.
San Miguel coach Jorge Gallent was glad that their no let-up attitude during the preparation that began during the first week of March translated into a good performance in their conference opener.
“Our last four or five practices, they were really intense. They just brought it in this game,” said Gallent.
Santi Santillan had career-highs of 31 points and 14 rebounds for Rain or Shine in the defeat.
The scores:
San Miguel 109 – Cruz 20, Lassiter 17, Trollano 16, Fajardo 15, Romeo 13, Tautuaa 7, Perez 7, Teng 6, Brondial 5, Enciso 3, Ross 0, Manuel 0.
Rain or Shine 97 – Santillan 31, Clarito 18, Belga 18, Mamuyac 9, Caracut 9, Belo 5, Nocum 3, Borboran 2, Demusis 2, Norwood 0, Asistio 0, Concepcion 0.
Quarters: 24-22; 56-45; 91-73; 109-97.
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