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[av_heading heading=’SAN MIGUEL DOWNS PHOENIX June Mar posts double-double at PH Cup opener ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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MANILA – San Miguel Beermen started its title-retention bid on a bright note after a 104-96 victory over Phoenix Fuel Masters in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
June Mar Fajardo led Beermen with double-double 23 points and 16 rebounds while Alex Cabagnot and Marcio Lassiter contributed 22 and 20 points, respectively.
Beermen had a blazing start Sunday night back-to-back treys by Lassiter for an 11-2 advantage. Fuel Masters had its own run to come to within 14-17 but conversions from Brian Heruela and Von Pessumal raised Beermen’s lead to 23-18.
Fuel Masters had another rally early in the second frame to snatch the lead at 31-30 on a Doug Kramer basket but Beermen leaned on inside hits by Fajardo and a trey by Cabagnot for a 47-37 halftime lead.
Beermen continued its hot shooting in the third frame with baskets from Chris Ross, Arwind Santos and Cabagnot to build a 79-64 lead. Fuel Masters managed to counter with triples from Jeff Chan to come to within 11 points.
Fuel Masters continued its rally in the fourth and managed to come to as close as 80-85 but Beermen answered with a finishing run from Fajardo, Lassiter and Cabagnot to build its largest lead 103-84.
“The first win is always really hard,” said Beermen head coach Leo Austria said. “Everybody prepares hard for us. I really have respect for Phoenix, especially with the new coaching staff, but we have an intact lineup that plays like a well-oiled machine.”
Negrense Chan finished with 18 points, Matthew Wright chipped in 12 markers, while Bacolodnon Justin Chua, Angelo Alolino and William Wilson had 11 points each for Fuel Masters./PN
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