SAN Miguel showed no sign of rust after a long break, dealing NLEX a 121-111 defeat on Friday night in the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
The Beermen were sharper than the Road Warriors as they picked up a third straight win in their first game back since a February 10 victory over Magnolia.
The Road Warriors, who have not played since their one-point loss to Phoenix last February 8, slipped to 2-5 after a second consecutive loss.
San Miguel opened the game with a 28-4 blitzkrieg and led by as many as 31 points in the wire-to-wire victory.
June Mar Fajardo scored 27 points and grabbed 13 rebounds while Alex Cabagnot and Arwind Santos added 18 and 17 points, respectively. The two combined for 18 points in the first period when the Beermen opened a 31-14 spread.
At 5-3, San Miguel coach Leo Austria said the Beermen are still aiming for the two outright semifinal berths that goes to the top two at the end of the eliminations.
“We badly needed that win. We are aiming for one of the two slots. Although it’s very hard at slim ang chance, the chance is still there,” said Austria.
So dominating were the Beermen on the offensive end that seven players scored in double figures.
JR Quinahan had 17 points and 10 rebounds for NLEX.
The scores:
San Miguel 121 – Fajardo 27, Cabagnot 18, Santos 17, Lassiter 16, Romeo 14, Pessumal 12, Ross 12, Zamar 4, Nabong 1, Mamaril 0, Vigil 0, Ganuelas-Rosser 0.
NLEX 111 – Quinahan 17, Tiongson 16, Erram 16, Ighalo 14, Galaza 11, Tallo 10, Rios 8, Soyud 6, Paniamogan 5, Baguio 2, Lao 2, Magat 2, Taulava 2, Varilla 0, Porter 0.
Quarters: 31-14; 63-38; 94-77; 121-111.
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