Defending Philippine Cup champions San Miguel Beermen showcased an offensive clinic, blasting the NLEX Road Warriors in a 106-80 beatdown, Saturday evening at the Xavier University Gymnasium in Cagayan de Oro.
14 players from the San Miguel side were able to play in the game. The Beermen were led by Alex Cabagnot, who knocked down four triple in the game for 18 points.
“Nagkaroon ako ng time para maikot lahat [ng players]. Yun yung luxury na hinahanap ko kasi gusto ko bigyan ng kumpiyansa lahat ng player,” San Miguel Beermen head coach Leo Austria said.
The MVP duo of Arwind Santos and June Mar Fajardo added 15 points apiece with the former grabbing eight rebounds while the reigning MVP gobbling up 12.
Cabagnot’s 11-point first quarter ignited the Beermen especially from beyond-the-arc. RR Garcia joined the scoring parade in the second quarter, wherein the squad jumped on NLEX for a 60-37 cushion at intermission.
“Makikita mo pumutok yung mga outside shooters namin, especially in the first quarter,” Austria shared.
Asi Taulava and Garvo Lanete were making their return in the game after missing out their last outing. However, Lanete twisted his left ankle with 9:47 left and did not return in the game.
Looking for the early finish, the Beermen maintained their comfortable distance by opening the second half with two more long bombs from Arwing Santos and Marcio Lassiter. During the same quarter, Ronald Tubid scored five straight to cap a 13-4 midquarter scoring run to put them on top 82-49, the biggest lead of the game.
Carrying a huge lead, Austria was able to field in rookies Arnold Van Opstal and Rashawn McCarthy in the final frame.
“I’m just so happy na lahat nakapaglaro,” Austria added.
Overall, San Miguel knocked down 18 three-pointers in the game, good for 42 points. NLEX went just 4-for-22 from distance.
Kevin Alas, Jonas Villanueva, and Bradwyn Guinto scored 12 points each for the skidding Road Warriors. Cagayan de Oro-native Carlo Lastimosa added eight markers.
The Beermen (4-1) are now sitting on top of the standings and will next face the Meralco Bolts (2-2) in the last game day for the year on December 28 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Meanwhile, NLEX (1-4) will have the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (3-1) in their next assignment, to be played on December 23 in a venue yet to be announced.
The Scores:
San Miguel (106) – Cabagnot 18, Fajardo 15, Santos 15, Garcia 12, Tubid 11, Lassiter 11, Espinas 7, Reyes 6, Heruela 5, De Ocampo 4, Ross 2, Van Opstal 0, Agovida 0, McCarthy 0.
NLEX (80) – Alas 12, Guinto 12, J. Villanueva 12, Soyud 11, Lastimosa 8, Taulava 7, Gotladera 6, Anthony 4, Khobuntin 4, Rios 4, Monfort 0, Camson 0, Lanete 0, Baracael 0.
Quarterscores: 31-19, 60-37, 82-53, 106-80
