Diamond Stone proved his worth as he powered San Miguel to a 113-105 victory over Rain or Shine for their breakthrough win in the 2022-23 PBA Commissioner’s Cup, Sunday evening at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
The 25-year-old American finished with 42 points and 13 rebounds, leading the Beermen’s fourth-quarter sprint on the way to picking themselves up after suffering a shock loss to Blackwater in their conference debut last Wednesday.
He capped off an 11-0 run through a split from the line, which he was awarded following a heated spat with Beau Belga with 4:37 left to play. The veteran center was booted out following an F2 call, an opportunity SMB capitalized on.
“I feel like I’ve adjusted well,” said Stone. “Coach did a great job during this week, after the first game, of getting me adjusted, getting me to know the plays. I feel like just me being in practice and engaging with the guys.”
June Mar Fajardo had 21 points and eight rebounds, while CJ Perez added 13 markers as the two helped Stone out in the aforementioned run.
“Our first game was a lackluster game for us,” offered San Miguel head coach Leo Austria. “It was very evident naman na we’re just playing the game. Maybe because they were dwelling a lot on our championship.
“I told them before the start that the championship is already a thing of the past. We have to fight back, we have to have another start come gametime.”
San Miguel will have a week to recover and prepare before battling Bay Area next Sunday, October 15, 4:30 p.m. at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Steve Taylor Jr., meanwhile, led Rain or Shine with 20 points, 18 rebounds, and nine assists in the loss that foiled their attempt of winning three straight.
Rey Nambatac had 19 points. Leonard Santillan tallied 15 points and seven rebounds, while Gian Mamuyac had 13. Andrei Caracut and Anton Asistio scored 11 apiece as Jewel Ponferrada chipped in 10 markers.
The Elasto Painters (2-2) will take on the 1-1 TNT on Saturday, October 15, 6:45 p.m. at the Big Dome as well.
The Scores:
San Miguel 113 – Stone 42, Fajardo 21, Perez 13, Herndon 8, Cruz 7, Manuel 7, Enciso 6, Lassiter 6, Ross 3, Tautuaa 0.
Rain or Shine 105 – Taylor Jr. 20, Nambatac 19, Santillan 15, Mamuyac 13, Caracut 11, Asistio 11, Ponferrada 10, Belga 3, Demusis 3, Norwood 0, Borboran 0.
Quarterscores: 29-24, 61-59, 85-85, 113-105.
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The second game of each PBA gameday is live-streamed on SMART Sports.
