By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Terrence Romeo finally made his return as San Miguel Beermen cruised to a 113-108 victory over Meralco Bolts at the close of the 2022 PBA Commissioner’s Cup eliminations yesterday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
Playing for the first time since March 16, the former Far Eastern University Tamaraws made his presence felt in the opening half with back-to-back triples and a tough two-point basket.
Romeo added two more baskets in the second half as he ended with 12 points, including two triples, to go with one assist and a steal as the Beermen improved to a 7-5 win-loss slate.
Devon Scott tallied double-double 32 points and 12 rebounds, Marcio Lassiter added 13 markers, while Ilonggo Jericho Cruz and Jaymar Perez had 10 points apiece for the Beermen.
From a tight exchange early in the opening quarter, the Beermen created separation from the Bolts behind back-to-back triples by Lassiter and outside shots from Perez and Romeo for a 28-21 lead.
The Bolts closed in at 27-31 early in the second period, but consecutive hits by Cruz followed by inside hits by Scott and Lassiter gave the Beermen a 70-50 edge, which later grew to its largest at 25 in the second half.
However, the Bolts attempted to come close in the fourth period as they cut the deficit to 108-111 with 10 seconds left, but two free throws by Scott sealed the win for the Beermen.
KJ McDaniels top-scored with 27 points, Aaron Black added 21 markers, while Negrense Raymar Jose and Kier John Quinto had 16 and 15, respectively, as the Bolts dropped to 4-8.
The Bolts opted to rest some of its injured stars in Chris Newsome, Chris Banchero and Raymund Almazan, as they were already out of the quarterfinals contention following their loss to NLEX Road Warriors last Wednesday, November 30.
SAN MIGUEL 113 — Scott 32, Lassiter 13, Romeo 12, Cruz 10, Perez 10, Fajardo 9, Enciso 8, Manuel 7, Tautuaa 6, Brondial 4, Zamar 2, Ross 0, Herndon 0.
MERALCO 108 — McDaniel 27, Black 21, Jose 16, Quinto 15, Caram 9, Maliksi 7, Pasaol 4, Belo 4, Hugnatan 3, Hodge 2, Pascual 0, Baclao 0, Johnson 0.
Quarterscores: 28-21, 70-50, 94-73, 113-108./ASC, WDJ