The San Miguel Beermen hardly showed any rust as they raised the curtains of their 2017 Governor’s Cup campaign on a strong note, dismantling the returning Mac Belo and Blackwater Elite, 118-93, Saturday afternoon at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
“I think this is our best start after winning a championship,” said San Miguel head coach Leo Austria regarding their rousing debut. “Usually after a championship, we struggle eh.”
Five Beermen scored in double figures in the win, with import Wendell McKines powering them with 19 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists. Marcio Lassiter also produced 19, while June Mar Fajardo flirted with a double-double of 18 points with eight caroms.
“I think may eagerness din sa mga players eh, especially kay McKines,” lauded Austria of his players’ effort.
The game was never in question for the Beermen from the get-go. With June Mar Fajardo and the bulky Wendell McKines scoring 11 points each, plus Marcio Lassiter chipping in 10 just in the first half, San Miguel were already ahead hugely, 59-36, at the halftime break.
The Grand Slam-seeking SMB then enjoyed the huge advantage all the way to the next half, leaving their counterparts stunned. They reached the century mark, 100–64, after Gabby Espinas’ charities at the 9:50 mark of the payoff period.
The only time the Elite tried to stage one last gasp was through a 14-0 run that made it a 108-84, late in the final frame, but the deficit was too much to overcome, as a few more buckets by the team in red were enough to seal the deal.
Espinas and Arwind Santos provided spark off the bench, supplying 16 and 12 points, respectively, on a combined 11-of-17 shooting from the field. New acquisitions Matt Ganuelas-Rosser and Von Pessumal also made their debut for the Beermen.
Mike DiGregorio led Blackwater with 18 points. JP Erram and Roi Sumang each made 14, while Belo scored 13 on 4-of-10 shooting in 25 minutes of action. Import Trevis Simpson only played less than 10 minutes and was scoreless in three attempts.
SMB will look to post another win as they face rivals TNT Katropa on August 2, Wednesday, at 7:00 PM. Blackwater, on the other hand, will battle Rain or Shine Elasto Painters next week, August 6, Sunday, at 4:30 PM. Both games will be held at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
The Scores:
San Miguel 118 – McKines 19, Lassiter 19, Fajardo 18, Espinas 16, Santos 12, Cabagnot 8, Heruela 7, McCarthy 5, Rosser 4, Tubid 3, Pessumal 2, Agovida 2, De Ocampo 2, Reyes 1, Ross 0, Semerad 0.
Blackwater 93 – Digregorio 18, Sumang 14, Erram 14, Belo 13, Gamalinda 11, Sena 6, Pascual 4, Cervantes 4, Banal 4, Canaleta 3, Cruz 2, Simpson 0, Miranda 0, Aguilar 0.
Quarterscores: 27-19, 59-36, 94-57, 118-93.
