San Miguel snaps Meralco’s unbeaten run in Comms Cup debut

MANILA, Philippines – The San Miguel Beermen, last conference’s champions, figured in a strong debut in the 2017 PBA Commissioner’s Cup as they snapped the Meralco Bolts’ unbeaten streak with a 99-92 victory on Sunday, April 2, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Beermen pulled away in the fourth quarter as shots began to fall and the Bolts grew cold.

Meralco’s 4-game win streak came to an end and they now hold a 4-1 record.

Reigning 3-time MVP June Mar Fajardo topscored with 24 points, 12 rebounds, and two blocks. He did, however, turn the ball over 6 times. 

Guard Alex Cabagnot fired 23 markers while import Charles Rhodes amassed 22 points and 12 rebounds in the win.

Marcio Lassiter and Arwind Santos added 16 and 12 points, respectively, as the Beermen outscored the Bolts, 35-28 – although Meralco, which led by as much as 15, only scrounged up some points in the final seconds as they tried to close the gap to manage the quotient.

San Miguel, on the other hand, led by as many as 12 points.

Alex Stephenson and Jared Dillinger combined for 42 points with the import tracking down 26 rebounds.

Up and coming playmaker Baser Amer finished with 16 points and 8 assists.

Chris Newsome added 9 points after bleeding slightly due to a strong left arm to his head from Ronald Tubid early in the fourth. Tubid was subsequently slapped with a flagrant foul penalty two and was thrown out of the game.

Scores: 

San Miguel (99): Fajardo 24, Cabagnot 23, Rhodes 22, Lassiter 16, Santos 12, Ross 2, Espinas 0, Heruela 0, Tubid 0. 

Meralco (92): Dillinger 21, Stepheson 21, Amer 16, Newsome 9, Nabong 8, Caram 6, Hugnatan 4, Uyloan 3, Chua 2, Daquioag 2, Grey 0. 

Quarter scores: 19-17, 35-46, 64-64, 99-92.

– Rappler.com