The Phoenix Fuel Masters had been the sole blemish in the San Miguel Beermen’s elimination round slate in last conference. This time around, the Beermen did not allow lightning to strike twice, taking a 110-88 rout on Friday evening at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
“Last conference, nanalo kami ng championship without beating Phoenix. Iniisip pa rin nila yun,” San Miguel head coach Leo Austria said.
With the win, San Miguel go to 2-0, while Phoenix drop to below .500 with a 2-3 slate. And with the way things are going, they are making it look easy on both ends.
“I think this is our best start [in an import-laden conference]. If you can still remember, lagi kami nag-strustruggle to start the last two years,” Austria added. “So far, we are happy with the results. Despite na sluggish start namin, nakaka-recover kami.”
Three-time MVP June Mar Fajardo once again led the way for the Beermen, scoring a game-high 22 points on an efficient 8-for-14 shooting clip, to go along with eight rebounds in just 28 minutes of action.
“Yung kay June Mar given na yun na he can dominate but he cannot do it without our import. His presence alone was good for us,” Austria said about Charles Rhodes, who added 19 points and 10 rebounds.
After a close first quarter, the Beermen were able to break away as early as the second quarter, scoring 31 points in the frame. Moreover, it was their defense that paved the way for this win, limiting to just a 36 percent shooting clip.
Matthew Wright, who was averaging 17.2 points per game this conference, was shut down in this game as he went scoreless on 13 shot attempts.
“Well, maybe because yung defense namin nag-step up. After the first five minutes of the game, they realized na hindi mahina yung Phoenix,” Austria added.
The San Miguel lead ballooned to as high as 25 points, 96-71, after a basket from Alex Cabagnot with 6:34 remaining in the game.
Cabagnot had 14 points, five rebounds, seven assists, and two steals. Marcio Lassiter tallied 15 points, nine rebounds, six assists, and three blocks.
“Good thing with Marcio and Alex is two-way players sila,” Austria said about the two guards.
McKay paced Phoenix with 21 points and 16 rebounds. RJ Jazul played his best game for Phoenix so far with 16 points and six dimes.
San Miguel will next face the Star Hotshots on Easter Sunday, April 16, at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum. Phoenix, on the other hand, has the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters next on Holy Wednesday, April 12, at the same venue.
The Scores:
San Miguel (110) – Fajardo 22, Rhodes 19, Lassiter 15, Cabagnot 14, Ross 11, Santos 11, McCarthy 6, Agovida 4, Espinas 3, Van Opstal 3, Heruela 2, Semerad 0.
Phoenix (88) – McKay 21, Jazul 16, Intal 14, Dehesa 8, Kramer 6, Wilson 6, Alolino 4, Borboran 4, Miranda 3, Eriobu 2, Viernes 2, Torres, Wright 0, Hayes 0, Wilson 0, Baguio 0.
Quarterscores: 24-23, 31-17, 29-22, 26-26.
