SAN Miguel launched the Jorge Gallent era on a high note, dealing Phoenix Super LPG a 114-93 beating on Sunday in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
The Beermen were in their dominant self from the beginning, leading by as many as 33 points before dousing a Fuel Masters run in the fourth quarter.
The 21-point win was officially the first for Gallent, who took over the head-coaching position during the offseason after Leo Austria was moved to a consultant role.
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“We just can’t relax. As I always tell them, we always have to play 48 minutes. If we tend to relax, we give our opponent chances to come back. We just have to play hard for 48 minutes, whether you come off the bench or you are starting,” said Gallent.
Cameron Clark finished with 23 points and seven assists and June Mar Fajardo had 19 points and 13 rebounds while CJ Perez added 18 for San Miguel, which missed Terrence Romeo and Vic Manuel due to injuries.
A big revelation though was Allyn Bulanadi, who fired 16 points on 3-of-7 from the field in his first game after being two trades that brought him from Converge to NorthPort to San Miguel during the offseason.
Du’Vaughn Maxwell had 21 points and 14 rebounds but Phoenix dropped to 0-3 in its third game in five days under interim coach Jamike Jarin.
The Beermen built a big lead, 42-21, at the end of the first and never looked back. The margin eventually become 62-29 at the end of the second, the largest of the game.
Phoenix came to within 10 points, 97-87, but SMB responded with back-to-back threes from Marcio Lassiter and Simon Enciso.
The scores:
San Miguel 114 – Clark 23, Fajardo 19, Perez 18, Bulanadi 16, Enciso 14, Lassiter 11, Tautuaa 9, Brondial 2, Ross 0.
Phoenix Super LPG 93 – Maxwell 21, Muyang 15, Serrano 12, Perkins 12, Alejandro 9, Jazul 8, Manganti 4, Garcia 4, Tio 4, Camacho 2, Soyud 2, Lojera 0, Lalata 0, Go 0.
Quarters: 42-21; 66-37; 89-68; 114-93.