By ADRIAN STEWART CO

San Miguel Beermen put an end to Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters’ winning streak with a 117-96 beating in the 2023-2024 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Christmas Day.

Bennie Boatwright, Jr. made his Beermen debut with a double-double of 26 points and 16 rebounds, while Terrence Romeo caught fire in the fourth quarter to end up with 22 markers.

Jaymar Perez tallied 20 points, nine rebounds, six assists, and five steals, while Ilonggo Jericho Cruz and Celedonio Trollano ended with 15 and 12, respectively, as the Beermen secured their third consecutive win to improve to 6-3.

Down by as much as nine points in the first half, the Beermen slowly clawed their way back to cut the deficit to 79-80 before surging ahead at 87-80 behind the 8-0 fourth quarter start courtesy of Romeo, Cruz and Moala Tautuaa.

The Fuel Masters still tried to keep the match close at 90-96 after a three-point play by Johnathan Williams, but the Beermen got conversions from Romeo, Cruz and Mario Lassiter to increase the lead to 117-93.

Williams had a double-double of 37 points and 16 rebounds, RJ Jazul chipped in 14 markers, while Sean Manganti and Javee Mocon had 11 and 10, respectively, as the Fuel Masters saw their six-game winning streak snapped to drop to 7-2.

Meanwhile, Earl Scottie Thompson delivered in clutch as defending champion Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings (6-3) pulled off a come-from-behind 86-78 victory over the TNT Tropang Giga (0-4).

Down 74-72 with over three minutes left, the Gin Kings converted six straight points courtesy of Christian Standhardinger, LA Tenorio and Thompson to take a 79-74 advantage.

The Tropang Giga cut it to 76-79 on a connection from Calvin Oftana, but Thompson unloaded back-to-back three-pointers to widen the Gin Kings’ lead to 85-78 with 32 seconds remaining.

Thompson finished with 12 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Standhardinger added 22 points and 10 rebounds, Tony Bishop, Jr. had 15 points and 12 rebounds, while Maverick Ahanmisi and Japeth Aguilar ended with 11 points apiece for Ginebra.

SAN MIGUEL 117 — Boatwright 26, Romeo 22, Perez 20, Cruz 15, Trollano 12, Brondial 8, Lassiter 6, Tautuaa 4, Ross 2, Mallilin 2.

PHOENIX 96 — Williams 37, Jazul 14, Manganti 11, Mocon 10, Tio 6, Rivero 5, Alejandro 4, Garcia 4, Muyang 3, Tuffin 2, Verano 0, Camacho 0, Lalata 0, Daves 0, Rangel 0.

Quarterscores: 30-34, 54-58, 79-80, 117-96./ASC, WDJ