MANILA, Philippines – San Miguel bucked a lethargic first quarter to inch closer to a playoff berth in the 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup following a 125-114 triumph over NLEX at the Calasiao Sports Complex in Pangasinan on Saturday, June 23. 

All starters finished in double figures for the Beermen, who stymied the Road Warriors despite Arnett Moultrie’s monstrous 43-point and 14-rebound effort to notch their 5th win in 9 games and move within a win from securing a quarterfinals seat. 

June Mar Fajardo churned out 30 points and 13 rebounds while Renaldo Balkman submitted 25 points, 16 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals as San Miguel eliminated NLEX, which fell to 2-8, from playoff contention. 

The Beermen trailed by as much as 8 points in the maiden period before finding their footing in the second quarter, using a 14-2 run, powered by Marcio Lassiter’s back-to-back treys, to swing a 48-50 deficit to a 62-52 advantage. 

San Miguel’s lead swelled to as large as 15 points in the 4th quarer and the Road Warriors, missing key cogs Kiefer Ravena (suspension), Kevin Alas and Larry Fonacier (injuries), failed to recover, never going closer than 8 points. 

Lassiter fired 26 points off 6 triples, Alex Cabagnot chipped in 17 markers, 5 rebounds and 4 assists and Chris Ross had 12 points, 8 assists and 4 rebounds in the win. 

Asi Taulava was the only other NLEX player to breach double figures with 18 points and 9 rebounds. 

The Scores:

San Miguel (125): Fajardo 30, Lassiter 26, Balkman 25, Cabagnot 17, Ross 12, Heruela 4, Santos 4, Ganuelas-Rosser 3, Mamaril 2, Nabong 2, Pessumal 0

NLEX (114): Moultrie 43, Taulava 18, Tiongson 8, Baguio 7, Ighalo 6, Tallo 6, Quinahan 6, Uyloan 5, Rios 5, Soyud 5, Buenafe 3, Gotladera 2, Marcelo 0

Quarter scores: 31-34, 65-55, 97-85, 125-114

– Rappler.com