San Miguel ended TNT’s five-game win streak via 115-99 blowout to regain the PBA Philippine Cup leadership, Thursday night at SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Jericho Cruz was on the forefront with a career-high 30 points, 16 of which he made in the third quarter alone as he led the Beermen’s big second half en route to their seventh W in eight games, enough to seal a quarterfinal spot.
June Mar Fajardo also had 30 points alongside 16 rebounds, showing the same form that made him the league’s only six-time Most Valuable Player to help his side push down Barangay Ginebra back to the second spot in the standings.
“This is an important game and we felt this would decide our fate,” said head coach Leo Austria, referring to their Top Two aspirations.
Simon Enciso performed against his former team with 16 points built on four triples as he continues to step up for a backcourt that still misses the services of Chris Ross and Terrence Romeo due to injuries.
CJ Perez finished with 12 points and 10 assists in yet another conscious effort on his part to involve his teammates, while bruiser Rodney Brondial tallied his own double-double outing with 12 and 18 rebounds, a game-high.
“Wala akong masasabi ngayon, the guys really stepped up big time,” lauded Austria as his Beermen are now winners of four straight.
San Miguel will next face the surprisingly third-running Blackwater (4-1) on Sunday, July 10, 4:30 p.m. still at the same venue.
Kelly Williams led TNT with 20 points and 10 rebounds in the deflating loss witnessed by none other than team owner Manny V. Pangilinan.
Jayson Castro had 17 points, while the returning Kib Montalbo and Roger Pogoy had 12 and 11 markers, respectively as the guards tried to help out Mikey Williams, who only scored 11 on a 3-of-14 clip from the field.
The Tropang Giga (7-3) will face the Gin Kings (6-1) next on Sunday as well at 6:30 p.m. to wrap up their elimination round campaign.
The Scores:
San Miguel 115 – Cruz 30, Fajardo 30, Enciso 16, Perez 12, Brondial 12, Herndon 5, Tautuaa 5, Lassiter 3, Zamar 2, Pessumal 0, Canete 0, Faundo 0.
TNT 99 – K.Williams 20, Castro 17, Montalbo 12, Erram 12, Pogoy 11, M.Williams 11, Ganuelas-Rosser 10, Alejandro 3, Tungcab 3, Khobuntin 0, Marcelo 0.
Quarterscores: 26-22, 53-47, 83-71, 115-99.
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The second game of each PBA gameday is live-streamed on SMART Sports.
