MANILA — Refusing to coast despite already locking up the top seed, San Miguel Beermen sent a clear warning to the rest of the field by overpowering Meralco Bolts, 113-104, to close the elimination round of the Season 50 PBA Philippine Cup on Sunday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The defending champions stretched their surge to nine straight wins—an emphatic turnaround after opening the conference with back-to-back losses—by seizing control in the second quarter and blowing the game open with a decisive third-period run.
Already assured of No. 1 before tipoff, San Miguel still imposed its will after a competitive opening frame, widening the gap to keep Meralco at bay the rest of the way.
“A lot of people were thinking that this is a non-bearing game and we will just relax, but we respect the game and our opponents,” said coach Leo Austria.
June Mar Fajardo anchored the Beermen once more with a dominant double-double of 24 points and 15 rebounds, adding four assists and three blocks. CJ Perez matched him with 24 points, while Celedonio Trollano delivered 21—including a four-pointer. Ilonggo Jericho Cruz chipped in 11.
“We have to be consistent, as [part of] our preparation going into the quarterfinals,” Austria added.
Crispin John Cansino led Meralco with 21 points, while Bong Quinto finished with 11 points, nine rebounds and six assists. Raymond Almazan and Jeff Comia had 11 apiece, and Brandon Bates tallied 10 points and nine boards in the loss.
San Miguel now heads into the quarterfinals riding momentum and depth, firmly positioned as the team everyone must topple./ PN
BOX SCORE:
SAN MIGUEL 113 – Fajardo 24, Perez 24, Trollano 21, Cruz 11, Teng 7, Tiongson 6, Ross 4, Brondial 4, Lassiter 4, Tautuaa 4, Cahilig 2, Mantua 2, Rosales 0.
MERALCO 104 – Cansino 21, Quinto 11, Almazan 11, Comia 11, Bates 10, Newsome 9, Black 7, Banchero 7, Hodge 6, Reyson 6, Rios 3, Pascual 2, Maliksi 0.
Quarterscores: 29-25, 49-41, 83-66, 113-104.
