San Miguel surged past a depleted Blackwater side, 116-92, keeping pace with Rain or Shine in the race for a twice-to-beat incentive in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup quarterfinals, Saturday night at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo.
The Beermen, riding a seven-game winning streak after a slow 0-2 start, now control their fate in the Top Four. A single win in their final two games — against Terrafirma on Wednesday or Meralco on Friday — will cement their twice-to-beat advantage.
“Hindi naman namin tinitignan kung six straight na or seven straight wins. Basta every game, we want to win, especially today. It’s not assurance yet we’ll get into the Top Four, but the chances would be high with this win,” said Beermen coach Leo Austria.
(C) PBA Images
Don Trollano led the Beermen’s scoring off the bench with 22 points and four rebounds, including a pair of triples and a four-point play.
“Nung first half kasi, hindi tumatama si CJ (Perez), and we’re reminded by Coach (Leo Austria) to be aggressive,” Trollano said of his hot shooting.
CJ Perez bounced back to finish with 16 points, while June Mar Fajardo (11 points, 12 rebounds) and Rodney Brondial (15 points, 10 rebounds) recorded double-doubles.
Jericho Cruz also contributed 12 points in the convincing win.
(C) PBA Images
Blackwater, weakened by the absence of Abu Tratter and Dalph Panopio due to national team duties at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok, fell to their ninth straight defeat and remain at one win.
Rookie James Una had a sterling effort for the Elite with 19 points and 12 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Beermen’s dominant run.
San Miguel will now focus on closing out the eliminations strongly and securing its Top Four bonus in the quarterfinals.
Blackwater faces TNT in their final game on Friday.
The Scores:
San Miguel 116 -Trollano 22, Perez 16, Brondial 15, Cruz 12, Fajardo 11, Tautuaa 9, Tiongson 8, Calma 7, Cahilig 6, Lassiter 6, Miller 4, Ross 0, Teng 0, Rosales 0, Mantua 0.
Blackwater 92 – Una 19, Guinto 16, Mendoza 15, Jopia 10, Altamirano 7, Andrade 7, Mallilin 6, Cruz-Dumont 4, David 4, Barefield 2, Zamar 2.
Quarterscores: 24-16, 36-51, 71-81, 116-92.
