MANILA — Bennie Boatwright delivered a dominant all-around performance and took over in crunch time as San Miguel Beermen clawed back from a late deficit to stun NLEX Road Warriors, 98-94, in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup Sunday night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
San Miguel showed poise under pressure after falling behind 92-94 following a clutch triple by NLEX big man Cady Lalanne. Boatwright stepped up when it mattered most, calmly draining two free throws to tie the game at 94-all before igniting a decisive closing run.
Boatwright then delivered on both ends, throwing down a go-ahead dunk that pushed the Beermen in front. Moments later, Jaymar Perez put the game out of reach with a fastbreak layup with nine seconds remaining.
Boatwright finished with a game-high 41 points, including three four-pointers, and grabbed 11 rebounds to earn Player of the Game honors as San Miguel improved to a 4-4 record.
Marcio Lassiter added 16 markers, including three outside shots, while Jaymar Perez, Jericho Cruz, and June Mar Fajardo contributed 13, 11, and 10 points, respectively, in a balanced offensive effort.
Despite the loss, Lalanne powered NLEX with 35 points and 10 rebounds, while Deschon Winston chipped in 20 markers as the Road Warriors dropped to 6-2.
In the other game, Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots sustained their surge, fending off Converge FiberXers, 106-94.
Zavier Lucero tallied a double-double of 17 points and 14 rebounds to earn Player of the Game honors, helping Magnolia secure its fourth win in five outings and climb to a 4-4 slate.
Clinton Chapman led the Hotshots with 22 points and 14 rebounds, while Rome dela Rosa and Jerom Lastimosa contributed 13 and 10 points, respectively.
Juan Gomez de Liaño paced Converge with 22 points, Alec Stockton added 19, while Justin Arana and Archie Concepcion finished with 15 and 14, respectively, as the FiberXers slipped to 2-6./PN
