Arizona Reid knocked down three triples early in the first quarter to pave the way for an explosive night, nailing a conference-high 41 points to lead the San Miguel Beermen to a 124-102 dismantling of the GlobalPort Batang Pier in the 2015 PBA Governors Cup Sunday at the Cuneta Astrodome.
Reid shot an astounding 9-for-11 from three-point territory while Marcio Lassiter, amid rumors of getting traded to another team which never really came into fruition until now, fired 24 points on 9-for-14 field goal shooting to help the Beermen achieve back to back wins for the first time since March and improve to 2-2 in the conference.
“We were on the same page. You hardly see them taking those shots in our first three games. The biggest factor here is our energy,” Beermen head coach Leo Austria, who fielded Reid at the power forward position early, said.
“Marcio is the [kind of] player you dont want to be traded. He is why I like coaching here. I know from the very beginning Marcio could shine for our team. No one talks to me about the trade and changing of imports eh. Gusto ko nga sila, papalitan mo. They were on fire tonight.”
Without any player from the Batang Pier side capable enough to contain Reid at the four, the prolific-scoring Beermen import chipped in 14 points in the first quarter alone as San Miguel built a 38-21 edge early in the ball game.
The steady play of Stanley Pringle and Terrence Romeo however, changed the complexion of the match, bringing GlobalPort to within 48-49 before a 12-2 run spearheaded by Chris Ross gave the Beermen a comfortable 61-50 edge entering the break.
Reid then continued to burn the net after pouring 21 of the team’s 41 points in the third period to further bury Globalport, 102-73.
“Their big man cannot contain AZ at the four,” Austria added. “If they field a big lineup, that is the time I will put him at number 3 for the advantage.”
Romeo led GlobalPort with 21 points but was only 6-for-17 from the field. Import Steve Thomas had 21 points and 12 rebounds, while Doug Kramer added 16 points and 9 boards.
The Scores:
San Miguel (124) – Reid 41, Lassiter 24, Ross 17, Cabagnot 12, Fajardo 6, Tubid 6, Santos 5, Reyes 4, Fortuna 3, Lutz 2, Omolon 2, Espinas 2, Doruelo 0.
GlobalPort (102) – Thomas 21, Romeo 21, Kramer 16, Pringle 12, Jensen 10, Buenafe 9, Krayem 4, Miranda 4, Isip 3, Mamaril 2, Hayes 0, Taha 0, Semerad 0, Pinto 0, Caperal 0.
Quarters: 34-21, 61-50, 102-73, 124-102.
