MANILA, Philippines – San Miguel’s drive for their second-straight PBA Philippine Cup title started on a strong note as the Beermen pummeled the GlobalPort Batang Pier, 97-86, in the league’s first out-of-town game this season at the University of Southeastern Philippines Gym in Davao City on Saturday, October 24.
Back-to-back MVP awardee June Mar Fajardo had a monstrous performance in San Miguel’s first outing of the 41st PBA season, hauling a double-double feat of 21 points and 17 rebounds to go along with 3 blocks.
Following a lackluster first period that saw GlobalPort ending with a 26-20 cushion, the Leo Austria-mentored squad seized cruise control of the second period and never looked back.
As GlobalPort gave many second-chance opportunities to their counterparts, Gabby Espinas initiated a 12-0 blitz to give the Beermen a 35-30 leverage before Alex Cabagnot spoiled Stanley Pringle’s personal 4-0 run and further exploited the Batang Pier with a beyond-the-arc shot and a baseline jumper to make it a 42-34 edge for San Miguel.
The SMB Five limited Pido Jarencio’s boys to 3 points in their ensuing possessions with their fluid ball movement as Fajardo manned the attack to enter halftime with an 11-point advantage.
GlobalPort managed to trim San Miguel’s lead into single digit with the gutsy exertion from Joseph Yeo and Doug Kramer, but the red-and-black troop answered back with Fajardo’s 4-straight points and Chris Ross’ two charities to raise up the advantage to double figures again.
San Miguel continued to torch the green shirts in the final frame, where the Beermen led as much as 17 points from collective contributions from Marcio Lassiter’s triple and foul-line conversions by Cabagnot and Arwind Santos.
The Beermen are set to play the Meralco Bolts on Wednesday, October 28 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, while GlobalPort’s next assignment is against Purefoods Star Hotshots on Friday, October 30 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Scores:
San Miguel (97) - Fajardo 21, Cabagnot 19, Santos 11, Lassiter 10, Espinas 10, Lutz 9, Reyes 4, Arana 3, De Ocampo 3, Heruela 3, Ross 2, Tubid 2
Global Port (86) - Pringle 20, Jensen 16, Yeo 13, Kramer 10, Maierhofer 6, Romeo 5, Uyloan 5, Washington 5, Mamaril 4, Taha 2, Paniamogan 0, Pena 0, Sumang 0
Quarter scores: 20-26, 49-37, 71-58, 97-86. – Rappler.com