SAN Miguel survived a spirited Blackwater rally to prevail, 125-117, and clinch twice-to-beat advantage in the PBA Commissioner's Cup playoffs.
Import Bennie Boatwright continued his hot streak and finished with 44 points for the Beermen, who hurdled the remaining stumbling block in their bid for a Top 4 finish.
The many-time All-Filipino champions also welcomed back seven-time MVP June Mar Fajardo to their fold since recovering from a fractured left hand that kept him out for six weeks.
Fajardo had a solid all-around game of 11 points, nine rebounds, and six assists for the Beermen, who finished the eliminations with an 8-3 record.
The team will also go to the quarterfinals on a five-game winning streak.
First ladder
“This is our first ladder. Our first goal was to get into the Top 4 for the twice-to-beat advantage. And we did that,” said winning coach Jorge Gallent.
“So now we have to work on our quarterfinal stint. As of now we don’t know who we will play. We have to prepare against the team that we’re gonna play in the quarterfinals. So this five-game winning streak is out already. This is ladder one, so we’re going to ladder two now.”
Boatwright added 12 rebounds and five assists, while four others also scored in double figures for San Miguel, namely CJ Perez (15 points), Terrence Romeo (14), Jericho Cruz (12) and Don Trollano (11).
The Beermen led by as many as 17 points, but Blackwater came roaring back in the fourth period behind hot-shooting Chris Ortiz to close within 107-106 with 6:21 to play.
But Fajardo, Chris Ross, and Trollano instigated an 8-0 run for San Miguel to keep the Bossing at bay, 114-106.
“We just relaxed. But at the end of it, they stayed composed, and when it went down to one, they knew where to go and where to pass the ball. You know I’m very blessed with these players that when it comes to crunch time, they know what to do,” said Gallent.
Ortiz almost matched Boatwright’s output with 43 points, 15 rebounds, and five assists as the Puerto Rican import went 6-of-12 from three-point range.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to save the campaign of the Bossing, who ended up with a 1-11 record as they lost their 10th straight game.
The scores:
San Miguel (125) - Boatwright 44, Perez 15, Romeo 14, Cruz 12, Fajardo 11, Trollano 10, Tautuaa 8, Ross 6, Teng 5, Lassiter 0.
Blackwater (117) - Ortiz 43, Hill 14, Suerte 13, Amer 12, Kwukuteye 9, Sena 8, DiGregorio 7, Guinto 4, Ilagan 3, Concepcion 2, Jopia 2, Escoto 0.
Quarterscores: 27-25; 63-51; 98-86; 125-117.
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