ANTIPOLO – San Miguel has gotten on a winning run since Leo Austria came back following a 115-102 victory over the hard-luck Blackwater in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’ Cup on Sunday at the Ynares Center here.
In their second game with the decorated mentor at the helm, the Beermen kept it simple and leaned on June Mar Fajardo to pull away in the fourth quarter and eventually win twice in a row for the first time in this conference.
The reigning champions improved to 3-2 to go above .500 for the first time in the tilt as well after handing the Bossing their fourth loss in five outings.
“I just took over the team a couple of days ago and I only have one practice to prepare–after our game against Terrafirma. It’s kinda hard for a coach … especially sa mga play,” the champion bench tactician admitted.
“Mabuti na lang ‘yung bread-and-butter namin na plays, name-memorya pa. Medyo mataas ‘yung kanilang mga memory card,” he added jokingly.
Fajardo finished with 27 points, 22 rebounds, and six assists as the eight-time MVP took it upon himself to close the game in their favor after allowing their foes to knock within five, 100-95, from 10 points down early in the fourth.
He scored nine of San Miguel’s last 15 points as the Cebuano star proved no match to the smaller Blackwater frontline en route to another 20-20 outing.
Import Torren James top-scored for the Beermen with 29 points on 11-of-18 shooting from the field and 14 rebounds as he continued to prove his worth.
CJ Perez supplied 15 points, six rebounds, and three assists while the tandem of Jericho Cruz and Don Trollano added 14 and 11 markers, respectively.
Andreas Cahilig provided eight significant points off the bench as he was also part of the crew on the floor that finished the game strongly for a San Miguel side that didn’t have Juami Tiongson reportedly due to a groin issue.
Austria and Co. will soon leave for Hong Kong to face Eastern in an East Asia Super League affair on December 18 — the first of two meetings for the clubs as they will also play on the 22nd at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
“Eastern on Wednesday sa Hong Kong, and then pagbalik dito, sila na naman ang kalaban namin, ano. And then naglaro kami rito (Antipolo). Ayun, magkukumustuhan na naman kami,” quipped Austria.
Leading Blackwater, meanwhile, was George King with 40 points alongside six rebounds and four assists as his efforts have yet to translate to a W.
Sedrick Barefield had 17 points while Christian David added 10 as they failed to keep the momentum going from their 114-98 win over Meralco last Thursday,
Coach Jeff Cariaso and his charges (1-4) are set to face another contender in TNT on Thursday, December 19, 7:30 p.m. at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Scores:
San Miguel 115 – Jones 29, Fajardo 27, Perez 15, Cruz 14, Trollano 11, Cahilig 8, Lassiter 5, Ross 4, Rosales 2, Tautuaa 0, Enciso 0, Brondial 0.
Blackwater 102 – King 40, Barefield 17, David 10, Ilagan 9, Chua 6, Ponferrada 6, Suerte 5, Kwekuteye 5, Guinto 4, Casio 0, Escoto 0, Hill 0.
Quarterscores: 18-26, 55-48, 85-77, 115-102.
