Bennie Boatwright put on a show as San Miguel boosted its top four chances following a 132-110 conquest of the also-ran Terrafirma in the PBA Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup, Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The former G-League big man erupted for 51 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Beermen to their fourth win in a row, which hiked their card to 7-3.
The win also enabled them to take solo fourth in the standings at the moment.
SMB has broken a tie with Ginebra (6-3), although the reigning champions have a shot at sharing the no. 4 spot again as they play NorthPort later in the night.
“All the credit to the coaches and my teammates. They were looking for me today,” said Boatwright, who went 7-of-13 from beyond the arc.
Boatwright already had 34 in the first half, which saw San Miguel begin to take control of the game in the second period.
They then broke away in the ensuing frame on the way to dealing the Dyip their seventh successive defeat.
He breached the 50-point mark through a triple to push their lead to 124-106 with 3:16 left to play. He was then subbed out for good shortly after.
As he checked out, the 27-year-old finished with the most points by a Beerman since Shabazz Muhammad had 57 in a 115-110 win over Meralco in the 2021-22 Governors’ Cup eliminations, per PBA stats chief Fidel Mangonon III.
“I’m very excited,” said Boatwright as the playoffs are now looming. “I’ve been hearing all about the tradition. This team has had a lot of accolades over the past years and I’m just happy to be a part of it, and make a run in the playoffs.”
Four others scored in double figures in the win. Don Trollano led the team’s locals with 22 points, seven rebounds, and four assists.
Mo Tautua’a and CJ Perez made 16 points apiece and combined for 13 of the team’s 53 total rebounds, while Terrence Romeo added 12 and seven assists.
SMB will look to conclude its elims campaign with another victory against the 1-9 Blackwater on Friday, January 12, 4:00 PM, also at the Big Dome.
Javi Gomez de Liano, on the other hand, had 26 points, seven rebounds, and four assists to lead Terrafirma, who dropped to 2-8 with the loss.
Thomas de Thaey had 17 points and 17 rebounds. Juami Tiongson scored 17 as well while Stephen Holt and Eric Camson added 13 and 11, respectively.
The Dyip will try to end their conference on a positive note against the 7-2 Meralco also on January 12. Game time is at 8:00 PM.
The Scores:
San Miguel 132 – Boatwright 51, Trollano 22, Tautuaa 16, Perez 16, Romeo 12, Lassiter 6, Cruz 6, Brondial 2, Ross 1, Teng 0.
Terrafirma 110 – Gomez de Liano 26, De Thaey 17, Tiongson 17, Holt 13, Camson 11, Sangalang 6, Cahilig 6, Carino 6, Miller 4, Alolino 4, Go 0, Ramos 0.
Quarterscores: 33-30, 67-60, 103-91, 132-110.
