The vets came through in crunch time as San Miguel overcame Blackwater, 125-117, to clinch a coveted playoff incentive in the PBA Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup, Friday evening at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The returning June Mar Fajardo gave his side the needed breather before Chris Ross and Don Trollano helped out to put away for good the Bossing, which got to within a point, 107-106, after being down by as many as 17 points.
SMB finished the eliminations at 8-3 and became the third team to lock a twice-to-beat quarterfinal edge after Magnolia and Phoenix Super LPG.
“Our first goal is to get the twice-to-beat advantage, so now we have to focus on our quarterfinals stint,” said head coach Jorge Gallent. “So this five-game winning streak is out already. This is ladder one. We’re in ladder two now.”
Bennie Boatwright set the pace for San Miguel with 44 points on eight triples, alongside 12 rebounds and five assists as he hardly struggled performing alongside Fajardo, who’s now fully recovered from a hand fracture.
The seven-time MVP had solid numbers despite a lengthy absence as he finished with 11 points, nine rebounds, six assists, a steal, and a block.
CJ Perez made 15 points. Terrence Romeo had 14 points and six assists, Jericho Cruz supplied 12 markers, while Trollano had a 10-5-3 line.
Put to naught by the loss, on the other hand, was the effort of Chris Ortiz, who finished with 43 points, 15 rebounds, and five assists.
Tyrus Hill made 14 points. Rey Suerte had 13 while Baser Amer added 12 for the Bossing, which wrapped up their conference with a 1-10 record.
The Scores:
San Miguel 125 – Boatwright 44, Perez 15, Romeo 14, Cruz 12, Fajardo 11, Trollano 10, Tautuaa 8, Ross 6, Teng 5, Lassiter 0.
Blackwater 117 – Ortiz 43, Hill 14, Suerte 13, Amer 12, Kwukuteye 9, Sena 8, DiGregorio 7, Guinto 4, Ilagan 3, Concepcion 2, Jopia 2, Escoto 0.
Quarterscores: 27-25, 63-51, 98-86, 125-117.
