Dez Wells powered San Miguel to a 113-107 come-from-behind win over the Columbian Dyip to get back on the right track in the 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup, Sunday evening at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Wells finished with a game-high 39 points, including nine in the Beermen’s overwhelming 24-4 assault that flipped an 81-92 deficit to a 106-95 lead with 2:49 remaining in the game.
He also collected nine rebounds and five assists, as he managed to overcome his emotions following an intentional bump by opposing forward Jackson Corpuz at the 3:09-mark of the fourth quarter.
San Miguel avoided a sweep by Columbian, as the latter got them in their first two meetings this season. It also avenged its loss to Barangay Ginebra last week to improve to 5-1.
“This season, they are the team na hindi namin matalo sa eliminations. That’s why when they came out there, wala silang takot. Komportable sila sa ‘min,” said coach Leo Austria.
“So we tackled our emotions because they wanted to beat Columbian right away.
“It’s a process. I told them to just control their emotions. I told them to set up our plays. That is our game eh.”
June Mar Fajardo produced 19 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, and three blocks, while Alex Cabagnot supplied 15 points. The returning Terrence Romeo added 12 points, five dimes, and four boards.
Mo Tautuaa had himself a solid debut for SMB as he had 10 points — all in the opening frame alone — and five rebounds.
“In his first outing, he played really well,” lauded Austria of Tautuaa. “Scored ten points in his first eight minutes. Definitely he’ll help us in our quest of winning a lot of championships.”
Columbian’s loss wasted the efforts of import Khapri Alston, who finished with 38 points and 25 rebounds.
CJ Perez and Juami Tiongson each had 18 points, while Rashawn McCarthy had 17 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. Corpuz added 12 and 11 in the defeat that dropped the Dyip to 3-4.
San Miguel will next take on NorthPort (2-4) on Wednesday, October 23, at the Cuneta Astrodome. Meanwhile, Columbian battles Phoenix Pulse (2-5) on Friday, October 25, still at the Big Dome.
The Scores:
San Miguel 113 – Wells 39, Fajardo 19, Cabagnot 15, Romeo 12, Santos 10, Tautuaa 10, Ross 5, Pessumal 3, Lassiter 0, Nabong 0.
Columbian 107 – Alston 38, Perez 18, Tiongson 18, McCarthy 17, Corpuz 12, Agovida 2, Gabayni 2, Celda 0, Cahilig 0, Calvo 0.
Quarterscores: 28-26, 51-52, 76-82, 113-107.
