The San Miguel Beermen remain spotless in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup after moving past the Phoenix Fuel Masters.
This, after the Jorge Gallent-led team defeated Jamike Jarin’s squad, 116-102, during their Easter Sunday clash at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
CJ Perez scored a season-high 32 points alongside five assists and four rebounds, to lead all players in scoring.
“I’m just trying to be consistent, “ said Perez during the post-game interviews.
“Malaking bagay siya, pero magtutulungan talaga kami. Kami naman, we’re just going to play together [para] mas maganda yung flow ng game. We’re just gonna enjoy the game,” he added of his squad who tallied 29 assists in the win.
A balanced attack worked wonders for SMB as four other players finished in double digits -- Jericho Cruz had 17, Terrence Romeo got 16, June Mar Fajardo added 13 points and Don Trollano put up 10.
Only separated by two points with still nine minutes left in the third quarter, the Beermen shifted gears and went on a sudden 19-4 run in a span of five minutes to build a 73-56 lead after an and-one by Cruz.
The Fuel Masters tried to slowly claw their way back in the game and brought down SMB’s lead to eight, 99-91, with still over six minutes in the game, but Perez, Cruz, and Fajardo continued with their onslaught in the next plays to finally shut the doors on their counterparts.
Jayjay Alejandro and Matt Daves headed Phoenix’s charge by scoring 13 points each, Javee Mocon and Jason Perkins provided some spark after they had 12 and 11, respectively, while Ricci Rivero and Kent Salado also had their chances as they both put up 10 markers.
The victory allowed the Beermen to post their third straight victory in as many games and Phoenix, for their part, endured their second straight loss as they fell to 1-3 in the team standings.
Up next for San Miguel is their heavyweight bout against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel on Friday, April 5, 7:30 PM, still at the Big Dome.
Meanwhile, the Fuel Masters will be looking to bounce back against the lowly Converge FiberXers on April 12, 4:30 PM, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
The Scores:
SAN MIGUEL — 116 – Perez 32, Cruz 17, Romeo 16, Trollano 10, Tautuaa 8, Lassiter 6, Brondial 6, manuel 4, Enciso 3, Teng 1, Ross 0
PHOENIX — 102 – Alejandro 13, Daves 13, Mocon 12, Perkins 11, Salado 10, Rivero 10, Tuffin 9, Muyang 6, Jazul 5, Verano 5, Manganti 4, Camaco 2, Lalata 2, Garcia 0
Quarterscores: 27-23, 49-45, 86-75, 116-102
