San Miguel turned in one of the best offensive showings in decades in keeping NorthPort winless through a 145-132 decision to get back on track in the PBA Governors’ Cup, Wednesday night at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
The Beermen poured the most points in franchise history in over three decades or since a 151-127 win over 7-Up in the 1992 Third Conference on the way to improving to 6-1 to join TNT on top of the team standings.
It was, furthermore, the most points in a PBA game by any team since Talk ‘N Text beat Air21, 145-116, in the 2011 Governors’ Cup eliminations.
And such a rousing performance was hugely attributed to the 46 assists they dished, now the club record and third all-time most in the league.
“We had 46 assists? Wow,” said a surprised head coach Jorge Gallent. “As I always say, in order for us to win, we have to share the ball.”
Cam Clark led the way with a PBA career-high 44 points, alongside nine rebounds and seven assists in a turnover-less showing.
The seasoned import joined hands with CJ Perez and Marcio Lassiter for the decisive 9-0 run towards a 139-125 lead with 1:25 left, enough to eventually get San Miguel back on track after losing to Converge the last time out.
June Mar Fajardo was back to his old form after fouling out of the FiberXers games as he finished with 29 points and 12 rebounds.
Perez finished with 24 points, three rebounds, and five assists. Lassiter had 16 on four treys while Vic Manuel chimed in 12 in nine minutes.
Now the Beermen will gear up for a tight schedule ahead, where they will face Ginebra on Friday before battling the Tropang Giga on Sunday.
Kevin Murphy, meanwhile, had 39 points and 13 rebounds for NorthPort, who absorbed its sixth loss in as many games.
Wasted by the defeat was the career-high outing of Arvin Tolentino, who finished with 32 points and five rebounds, as well as the 16 and 10 of Robert Bolick.
The Batang Pier are hoping to end their skid against Terrafirma on Wednesday, February 22, 3 p.m. at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
The Scores:
San Miguel 145 – Clark 44, Fajardo 29, Perez 24, Lassiter 16, Manuel 12, Cruz 9, Bulanadi 5, Enciso 3, Tautuaa 3, Brondial 0, Ross 0.
NorthPort 132 – Murphy 39, Tolentino 32, Bolick 16, Zamar 14, Calma 11, Chan 9, Caperal 4, Ayaay 4, Munzon 3, Balagasay 0, Taha 0.
Quarterscores: 40-36, 72-67, 108-96, 145-132
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The second game of each PBA gameday is live-streamed on SMART Sports.
