MANILA – San Miguel Beermen leaned on another solid outing from Chris McCullough for a 128-108 rout on Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters in the 2019 Honda PBA Commissioner’s Cup last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
McCullough tallied double-double 37 points and 13 rebounds, while June Mar Fajardo also had double-double 22 points and 14 rebounds as the Beermen climbs to 4-5 win-loss slate.
From an 18-all deadlock midway in the opening quarter, the Beermen slowly created distance from the Fuel Masters on inside hits from Fajardo, McCullough and Christian Standhardinger for a 30-21 edge.
The Fuel Masters were attempting a run early in the second period but the Beermen pulled away further with outside shots from Marcio Lassiter and Terrence Romeo for a 61-45 halftime edge.
The Beermen continued with its torrid shooting in the second half as it thwarted several rallies by the Fuel Masters en route for its largest lead of the match at 100-72 on a basket by Alex Cabagnot.
Richard Howell had double-double 15 points and 14 rebounds, while Matthew Wright and Rey Guevarra added 14 markers apiece as the Fuel Masters slumped to 4-6 win-loss card.
Meanwhile, the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters came alive in the second half to score an 86-82 victory over the Magnolia Hotshots. The Painters and Hotshots were now tied at 5-5 slate.
Trailing 33-21 in the midway second period, the Painters went on a rally behind inside hits by Carl Montgomery and Norbert Torres and triples by Rey Nambatac and Beau Belga to come to within 47-42 early in the third.
ROS began its rally in the third canto to take a 64-61 that later shoot up to its largest at 80-69 on hits by Belga and Javee Mocon. Magnolia made its last push at 80-84 before Gabe Norwood sealed the Painters’ triumph with two free throws.
Belga had conference-best 22 points, including four triples, while Montgomery had double-double 20 points and 12 rebounds for the Painters. Ian Sangalang led the way with 24 points for the skidding Hotshots./PN
