SAN MIGUEL Beer built enough cushion to stave off Blackwater’s attempt for a comeback for a 105-86 victory on Wednesday in the Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
“We just have to learn and play smart,” San Miguel Beer coach Jorge Gallent said. “If you give the other teams a chance to comeback, they will take advantage of it.”
The Beermen were in full control after two quarters, but relaxed in the third period where the Bossing outscored them, 33-20.
But San Miguel Beer had enough cushion and halted Blackwater’s comeback for back-to-back victories in the conference.
“The players are playing well in defense that’s why that triggers our offense,” Gallent said.
Jericho Cruz scored 10 of his 22 points—9 of 13 shooting—to help San Miguel Beer build a commanding 63-35 at the half.
“I’d like to thank the coaching staff for giving me extra confidence despite my subpar performance last game,” said Cruz, referring to his two-point showing in San Miguel Beer’s 114-93 win over Phoenix Super LPG last week.
Import Cameron Clark had 20 points and nine rebounds, while six-time Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo finished with 17 points, 16 rebounds, four assists and two steals for the Beermen.
CJ Perez and Marcio Lassiter added 14 and 13 points, respectively, and Simon Enciso had nine points and seven assists also for San Miguel Beer.
Shawn Glover had 16 points and 12 rebounds for the Bossing who dropped to 1-2 won-lost.
NLEX coach Frankie Lim, meanwhile, announced that import Jonathon Simmons,who steered the Road Warriors to back-to-back wins, will be replaced by another ex-National Basketball Association player, Wayne Selden Jr. He is expected to arrive within the week.