ANTIPOLO - Titan Ultra shocked San Miguel, 119-112, on Saturday for its first win in the PBA 50th Season Commissioner's Cup at the Ynares Center.
The Giant Risers scored 41 points in the third to lead by as many as 21 points, spoiling the Beermen's return to action since capturing the Philippine Cup title last February.
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Titan Ultra also weathered a Beermen comeback powered by an all-Filipino line-up that saw them come within four points while import Marcus Lee watched from the bench.
It was a huge victory for Titan Ultra, which lost by 41 points, 158-117, in their November 12 showdown to San Miguel and lost its first two games of the midseason conference by an average of 31.5 points.
Joshua Munzon had 29 points, and Michael Gilmore finished with 28 points and 13 rebounds while playing with five fouls in the final stretch.
Rensy Bajar picked up his first win as PBA head coach.
“‘Yung motivation lang namin this game is we were outplayed for the last two games, blowout losses against Terrafirma and Phoenix. Ang challenge lang namin is have some pride on their jobs and in this team because this Titan team can beat anybody,” said Bajar.
Gilmore knocked down a three with 3:20 left in the third quarter for an 83-62 lead, the biggest of the game, but a fiery run enabled San Miguel to come to within four points, 112-108.
Titan Ultra responded with Cade Flores burying a putback and Munzon scoring a lay-up to put the situation back under control.
Cjay Perez had 27 points, and Don Trollano added 21 points, but Lee had four points, five rebounds, three assists, and three steals in 24 minutes of action before being benched the entire fourth period.
The scores:
Titan Ultra 119 – Munzon 29, Gilmore 28, Flores 13, Yu 9, Javillonar 8, Ular 6, Sajonia 5, Balanza 4, Omega 4, Cuntapay 4, Pessumal 4, Melecio 3, Dionisio 2, Sangco 0.
San Miguel 112 – Perez 27, Trollano 21, Tautuaa 18, Fajardo 15, Teng 9, Rosales 7, Lassiter 6, Lee 4, Tiongson 3, Brondial 2, Cahilig 0, Miller 0.
Quarters: 28-18; 52-49; 93-75; 119-112.
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