“I am back and I have one goal.”
With that, AZ Reid served a notice to the league why they are the defending champions.
Behind a strong 37-point performance, two-time PBA Best Import winner AZ Reid led his San Miguel Beermen to a victory over the Phoenix Fuel Masters, 124-113, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday evening.
With Cyrus Baguio seeing action for the first time in a Phoenix jersey, the savvy veteran propelled the Fuel Masters to a 40-point second quarter. This erased an early 11-point separation created by San Miguel on an offensive-filled half. In addition, both teams shot at the 50% clip at the break with Phoenix leading, 69-64.
Oozing with momentum, the confident Fuel Masters continued their hot shooting from the perimeter, in addition to stellar contributions from their bench. By the four minute mark of the third, they opened up their biggest lead of the game at 93-81. However, SMB’s Arizona Reid made his presence felt to lead a fuming 18-2 run prior the final frame.
The run also served as the game-deciding rally as the Beermen maintained in cruising control over the stunned Fuel Masters. The young Phoenix team failed to make one last run to stop San Miguel’s depth down the stretch.
San Miguel ended the game on a 51% clip and scored ten more points from the foul stripe. Furthermore, they had more points in the paint, 52-44.
“The Phoenix team played well and they came ready tonight. But we just got a win and it’s important to win early,” said Reid after an explosive offensive performance, together with 10 rebounds, four assists, and two blocks.
Fajardo added 21 points and 11 rebounds off the bench. San Miguel took the victory without the services of Arwind Santos due to his knee injury.
Marcus Simmons led Phoenix with 28 points on 10 for 15 shooting from the foul stripe and 11 rebounds in the loss. Norbert Torres played a stellar game with his career-high 19 markers.
The Beermen’s (1-0) next assignment will be up against the NLEX Road Warriors (1-0) on July 22, while Phoenix (0-2) seeks to avoid a three-game losing skid to start the tournament versus the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (0-1) on July 25. Both games will be played at the Big Dome.
The Scores:
San Miguel (124) – Reid 41, Fajardo 21, Cabagnot 20, Lassiter 12, David 7, Tubid 5, Reyes 4, Ross 4, Arana 2, Semerad 0.
Phoenix (113) – Simmons 24, Torres 19, Baguio 13, Cruz 13, Enciso 12, Hee 9, Wilson W. 7, Caperal 7, Pennisi 3, Buenafe 2, Lanete 0, Sorongon 0.
Quarterscores: 33-29, 63-69, 97-73, 124-113
