Reigning Commissioner’s Cup titlists San Miguel Beermen have formalized their entry into the conference’s quarterfinals by giving the Blackwater Elite a bitter exit, 115-106, Wednesday evening at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Beermen have collected their third straight win and now carry a 6-4 win-loss card. They are currently fifth in the team standings, though a twice-to-beat advantage is no longer attainable.
The Elite, on the other hand, will end their mid-season tilt campaign with a league-worst 1-10 record.
“That is a very important game sa’min,” said San Miguel head coach Leo Austria. “Although alam namin kaya naming manalo dito, I told them before the game they are a very dangerous team because of Henry Walker. They are also in shape.”
Seven players finished in double figures for San Miguel, with Arwind Santos leading the pack with 23 points alongside 15 rebounds. Marcio Lassiter produced 18 points with six assists, while Kelly Nabong supplied 13 markers.
SMB wasted the Elite’s hot 11-0 start in the match by surging in the second frame. Thanks to Lassiter and Santos, the Beermen turned things in their favor and led by eight at the half, 57-49, and they never looked back.
San Miguel had their first taste of a double-digit lead at the start of the third quarter after Kelly Nabong’s basket. Their lead ballooned to as big as 24, 107-83, after Brian Heruela’s three-pointer with 5:26 left in the game.
Alex Cabagnot and Renaldo Balkman had 12 points apiece for SMB and combined for 15 rebounds. June Mar Fajardo, still fresh from his Gilas Pilipinas stint, had 10 points and 10 boards. Heruela chipped in 10 markers as well.
Henry Walker led Blackwater with 26 points and 12 rebounds in the loss. Mike Di Gregorio had 19 points, and point guard Nard Pinto had an all-around performance with 13 points, eight assists, and six caroms.
The Elite are bound for Macau on July 17, as they will partake in the Summer Super 8 tourney, a six-day cagefest, to prepare for the 2018 Governor’s Cup.
The Beermen will look to improve their position for the next round as they take on long-time rivals Magnolia Hotshots on Saturday, July 7, 6:45 PM at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Scores:
San Miguel 115 – Santos 23, Lassiter 18, Nabong 13, Balkman 12, Cabagnot 12, Fajardo 10, Heruela 10, Ross 7, Pessumal 6, Mamaril 2, Vigil 2, Rosser 0.
Blackwater 106 – Walker 26, Digregorio 19, Pinto 13, Zamar 11, Banal 11, Al-Hussaini 10, Jose 6, Sena 4, Javier 2, Palma 2, Cortez 2, Maliksi 0.
Quarterscores: 28-34, 57-49, 84-70, 115-106.
