Firing on all cylinders, the San Miguel Beermen won their second game in a row in the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup, following their 105-93 decimation of the Meralco Bolts, Friday night at Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
SMB seized control of the match in the second frame. They outscored the opposition 29-15 to turn a one-point deficit to a 55-42 lead at the half, which they would keep the rest of the way.
“This is an indication that we’re ready for this conference,” said San Miguel head coach Leo Austria, whose Beermen have improved to 2-1. “Slowly we’re getting in game shape.”
Six Beermen finished in double figures, with Marcio Lassiter at the forefront with 25 points. June Mar Fajardo had 20 points and 11 rebounds, while Christian Standhardinger had 14 and seven.
San Miguel saw themselves down by a solitary point at the end of the opening frame, but that changed in the second, as they made a 21-6 run for a 47-33 lead past the midway mark of the period.
The Beermen would not relinquish their advantage the rest of the way. They would go on to lead by 22, 85-63, after a Standhardinger basket with 40 seconds remaining in the third canto.
Arwind Santos chimed in 12 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists. Ronald Tubid and Paul Zamar had 11 markers each.
Nard Pinto led the Orangemen (1-2) with 13 points and five assists. Veteran Ranidel de Ocampo supplied 12 points, while Baser Amer chipped in 11 markers, five boards, and three steals.
Both teams will take turns facing the TNT KaTropa next. San Miguel will have the first crack on Sunday at SMART Araneta Coliseum, while Meralco will follow suit on January 30 at the Cuneta Astrodome.
The Scores:
San Miguel 105 – Lassiter 25, Fajardo 20, Standhardinger 14, Santos 12, Tubid 11, Zamar 11, Ross 6, Pessumal 6, Nabong 0.
Meralco 93 – Pinto 13, De Ocampo 12, Amer 11, Hugnatan 8, Quinto 7, Hodge 6, Caram 6, Canaleta 6, Faundo 5, Dillinger 5, Newsome 4, Salva 3, Jackson 3, Tolomia 2, Jamito 2.
Quarterscores: 26-27, 55-42, 85-66, 105-93.
