By ADRIAN STEWART CO
San Miguel Beermen showed its steadiness in the endgame to defeat Meralco Bolts, 94-82, in the 2022-2023 PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Thursday night, February 9.
Holding to a slim 83-80 lead late in the fourth quarter, the Beermen got back-to-back conversions from import Cameron Clark and hits from Jaymar Perez and Marcio Lassiter for a 92-83 lead.
The Bolts attempted to come close at 86-92 following three free throws from Allein Maliksi with 44 seconds remaining, but another inside shot from Clark sealed the victory for the Beermen.
Clark finished with double-double 28 points and 15 rebounds, Perez and Ilonggo Jericho Cruz added 19 and 13 markers, respectively, while June Mar Fajardo had double-double 11 points and 14 rebounds for the Beermen, which remained on top with a 5-0 slate.
KJ McDaniels tallied double-double 18 points and 13 rebounds, while Chris Newsome and Maliksi contributed 18 and 16 markers, respectively, as the Bolts dropped to a 3-2 record.
Meanwhile, Terrafirma Dyip nearly squandered a double-digit lead before pulling off a 119-106 victory over Blackwater Bossing. The Dyip moved up to 2-2, while the Bossing slipped to 1-4.
After seeing their once 18-point lead cut to 85-86, the Dyip got timely conversions from Eric James Camson and reinforcement Jordan Williams to pull away at 104-97 on a drive by rookie Javi Gomez de Liano.
The Bossing made its last push at 101-104, but the Dyip got consecutive baskets from Williams and more inside connections from Camson for a 117-104 lead with less than a minute left.
Williams finished with 57 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, two steals, and two blocks, while Juan Miguel Tiongson and Camson added 27 and 17 markers, respectively, for the Dyip.
SAN MIGUEL 94 — Clark 28, Perez 19, Cruz 13, Fajardo 11, Enciso 8, Lassiter 7, Bulanadi 6, Ross 2, Tautuaa 0, Brondial 0.
MERALCO 86 — McDaniels 18, Newsome 18, Maliksi 16, Banchero 7, Black 5, Pasaol 5, Hodge 4, Caram 3, Quinto 3, Almazan 3, Jose 2, Pascual 2.
Quarterscores: 18-14, 44-33, 69-63, 94-86./ASC, WDJ