San Miguel gave Leo Austria the welcome he so deserves following a 106-88 rout of a luckless Terrafirma to snap a two-game losing skid in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup on Friday evening at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Their hopes renewed following the decorated mentor’s reappointment as head coach, the Beermen pulled away wide in the fourth quarter for a strong finish en route to chalking up their second win of the mid-season conference.
“I’m so happy to be back and get my first win after years on the sidelines,” said the nine-time champion mentor, who previously served as team consultant.
Torren Jones led the welcoming committee for the three-time Coach of the Year with 24 points and 13 rebounds, making a good account of himself in his first appearance for a team hoping to have found the answer to its import woes.
June Mar Fajardo flirted with a triple-double with 21 points, 19 rebounds, and seven assists, seemingly inspired that his ‘Pops’ is back in charge.
“Masaya kami nakabalik si Pops at nakuha namin ang panalo. Sana tuloy-tuloy na,” said the eight-time MVP, who scored 14 of his points in the second half.
It was actually a triple celebration for Fajardo as he also scored a career milestone, dislodging Purefoods legend Alvin Patrimonio (6,152) at the fifth spot of the league’s all-time most rebounds with 6,162 and counting.
CJ Perez supplied 16 points, three rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Juami Tiongson made 12 points while Don Trollano chipped in 10 in the win.
Trollano and Tiongson helped out in the breakaway, making five straight points to spark a 12-1 run toward an 85-70 lead with 8:18 to go.
And San Miguel would go on to keep the Dyip winless in five games as that first win is proving to be so elusive for acting head coach Raymond Tiongco and for a franchise that’s hoping for a fresh start after letting go of Johnedel Cardel.
The Beermen will look to build a winning streak when it takes on the 0-4 Phoenix this Sunday, December 15, 5 p.m. at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Top-scoring for Terrafirna, meanwhile, was Brandon Edwards with 18.
The Scores:
San Miguel 106 – Jones 24, Fajardo 21, Perez 16, Tiongson 12, Trollano 10, Lassiter 6, Rosales 6, Brondial 4, Tautuaa 4, Cahilig 3, Ross 0, Cruz 0.
Terrafirma 88 – Edwards 18, Nonoy 14, Manuel 12, Sangalang 11, Pringle 11, Melecio 7, Catapusan 6, Hanapi 5, Ferrer 4, Paraiso 0, Hernandez 0, Olivario 0, Zaldivar 0.
Quarterscores: 21-16, 47-39, 73-66, 106-88.
