MANILA, Philippines – Charles Rhodes and Marcio Lassiter conspired to lift San Miguel to a 127-106 romp of the import-less Blackwater in the 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena on Friday, June 14.

Rhodes took advantage of the Elite playing with an all-Filipino lineup after putting up 32 points, 19 rebounds, and 6 blocks as the Beermen picked up their maiden win of the tournament after dropping their first two games.

Lassiter, meanwhile, put on the finishing touches as he fired 7 of his 9 three-pointers in the final frame to finish with 29 points and to help keep Blackwater, which is seeking to gain solo lead, at bay. 

San Miguel led by just 9 points midway through the payoff period, 95-86, until Lassiter – who was limited to just 8 points in the first 3 quarters – drilled in 3 straight treys to give his side a 104-89 lead. 

Lassiter then added another 4 triples in the final two minutes to join Allan Caidic, Renren Ritualo, Kenneth Duremdes, and Rob Williams as the only players in PBA history with at least 9 three-pointers in multiple games. 

Alex Cabagnot delivered 19 points, 6 assists, and 4 steals, June Mar Fajardo had 12 points and 11 rebounds, while Von Pessumal joined the three-point party with 4 treys to wound up with 12 points and 5 rebounds for the Beermen. 

Ray Parks continued his stellar rookie campaign with 23 points and 13 rebounds, but his effort went for naught as the Elite missed the services of import Alex Stepheson.

According to the team, Stepheson returned to the United States to have his bum stomach checked. 

Mike Digregorio had 18 points, Roi Sumang added 17 points, while Allein Maliksi and Rabeh Al-Hussaini chipped in 11 points apiece for Blackwater, which slipped to 5-2. 

The Scores

San Miguel 127 – Rhodes 32, Lassiter 29, Cabagnot 19, Fajardo 12, Pessumal 12, Rosser 7, Zamar 8, Ross 6, Standhardinger 2.

Blackwater 106 – Parks 23, Digregorio 18, Sumang 17, Al-Hussaini 11, Maliksi 11, Javier 6, Sena 5, Tratter 5, Cortez 4, Belo 2, Banal 2, Alolino 2, Jose 0, Desiderio 0.

Quarters: 29-21, 62-47, 90-74, 127-106.

– Rappler.com