SAN Miguel stopped Phoenix Super LPG’s winning streak, riding a fiery fourth-quarter blast to a 117-96 victory on Christmas Day in the PBA 48th Season Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Terrence Romeo led the late charge for the Beermen, who stamped their experience on the youthful Fuel Masters by scoring 38 big points in the final quarter.
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San Miguel improved its record to 6-3 after winning its third straight game, formally clinching a spot in the quarterfinals and strengthening its bid for one of four twice-to-beat incentives in the playoffs.
The Beermen also ended the Fuel Masters’ six-game winning run.
The Fuel Masters still led, 80-79, at the end of the third quarter on a halfcourt buzzer-beater by RJ Jazul, but couldn’t sustain their form in the final quarter when the Beermen went on the decisive tear.
Romeo erupted with 15 of his 22 points in the final quarterm including a basket to cap an 8-0 run at the beginning of the quarter.
The Beermen led by as many as 24 points in the final seconds of the game after holding the Fuel Masters to only 16 points in the final quarter.
“Part of the goal this conference is to get to the Top Four and I think we are closing on that,” said San Miguel coach Jorge Gallent.
Bennie Boatwright debuted with 26 points and 16 rebounds for the Beermen after replacing Ivan Aska in time for the Christmas game.
CJ Perez added 20 points, nine rebounds, and six assists, while Jericho Cruz contributed 15 points for San Miguel.
Johnathan Williams finished with 37 points and 16 rebounds while Jazul had 14 points for the Fuel Masters, who led by nine at one point in the game, 52-43.
The scores:
San Miguel 117 – Boatwright 26, Romeo 22, Perez 20, Cruz 15, Trollano 12, Brondial 8, Lassiter 6, Tautuaa 4, Mallillin 2, Ross 2.
Phoenix Super LPG 96 – Williams 37, Jazul 14, Manganti 11, Mocon 10, Tio 6, Rivero 5, Garcia 4, Alejandro 4, Muyang 3, Tuffin 2, Lalata 0, Daves 0, Verano 0, Camacho 0, Rangel 0.
Quarters: 30-34; 54-58; 79-80; 117-96.
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