San Miguel Beermen did not relinquish their twice-to-beat advantage as they shot down Phoenix Fuel Masters, 115-96, to become the first team to qualify for the semifinals, Tuesday night at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
With the victory, San Miguel will now head into the Commissioner’s Cup semis for the second straight time. Furthermore, SMB will be in another semifinal stage for the sixth straight time since the 2015 Governor’s Cup.
“I’m very happy because we were able to meet the expectations of a lot of people, especially the management,” said SMB head coach Leo Austria in the win. “I have to commend all the players because they know what’s at stake. “
Marcio Lassiter anchored San Miguel’s attack with 26 points spiked by five treys, while backcourt partner Alex Cabagnot turned to yet another all-around performance with 20 points, eight rebounds, and six assists.
The Beermen already made it a lopsided affair as early as in the second chapter, breaking away wide with an overwhelming 23-2 run concluded by a Ronald Tubid trey to post a whopping 28-point gap, 51-23, with 4:35 on the clock.
The Fuel Masters though threatened and closed by 14, 88-74, early in the payoff period, but could not get any closer as SMB scored six straight ended by Rhodes’ charities to regain a 20-point lead, 94-77, with 9:04 remaining.
San Miguel then never looked back, never allowing Phoenix to close within striking distance as they coasted to the 19-point victory.
“They really wanted to go to the semifinals right away because we don’t want to have another Game Two to happen, because our opponent in the semifinals is getting better and better,” added Austria.
June Mar Fajardo added 15 points and eight caroms for the Beermen. Import Charles Rhodes had 14 and 11, while Chris Ross also supplied a double-double of 11 points and 10 assists. He also added seven boards.
Jameel McKay topbilled for Phoenix with 20 points on 53 percent shooting to go with 13 rebounds. RJ Jazul added 14, while JC Intal and Gelo Alolino produced 12 and 11 points, respectively, in the conference-ending loss. Matthew Wright was limited to just nine points.
SMB shot 50 percent from the floor, and won the battle of the boards, 51-41. However, they committed 19 turnovers, which led 21 points for Phoenix. The Fuel Masters’s bench also outscored the Beermen’s reserves, 46-29.
The winner between quarterfinal foes Star Hotshots and Rain or Shine Elasto Painters will serve as San Miguel’s opponent in the semifinals.
The Scores:
San Miguel (115) – Lassiter 26, Cabagnot 20, Fajardo 15, Rhodes 14, Tubid 14, Ross 11, Santos 8, Espinas 4, McCarthy 3, Heruela 0, Reyes 0, Agovida 0.
Phoenix (96) – McKay 20, Jazul 14, Intal 12, Alolino 11, Wright 9, Baguio 7, Eriobu 6, J. Wilson 6, Miranda 4, Dehesa 3, Hayes 2, Lanete 2, Torres 0, Borboran 0, W.Wilson 0, Kramer 0.
Quarterscores: 28-21, 57-37, 88-69, 115-96.
