Beermen dethrones Ginebra, enters PBA Comm’s Cup finals

Posted by watchmen
January 30, 2024
Posted in SPORTS
Ilonggo Jericho Cruz of the San Miguel Beermen goes for a teardrop shot. (PBA photo)
Ilonggo Jericho Cruz of the San Miguel Beermen goes for a teardrop shot. (PBA photo)

By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The San Miguel Beermen showed their steadiness in the endgame to dethrone the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings, 94-91, in Game 3 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Sunday night, January 28.

Already ahead 90-79 after a three-pointer by Jaymar Perez, the Gin Kings stormed their way back anew behind Japeth Aguilar, Earl Scottie Thompson, Maverick Ahanmisi, and Christian Standhardinger to cut the deficit to 89-92.

The Gin Kings still had a chance to tie the game, but Standhardinger turned the ball over, which led to two insurance free throws by Beermen center June Mar Fajardo with eight seconds left.

Bennie Boatwright, Jr. finished with a double-double of 26 points and 13 rebounds, while Ilonggo Jericho Cruz added 17 markers as the Beermen swept the best-of-five semis series, 3-0.

Marcio Lassiter contributed 14 points, including two three-point conversions. Fajardo had a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds, while Perez ended with 11 markers and nine boards for the Beermen.

Tony Bishop, Jr. led the way with 25 points. Thompson added 17 points, nine rebounds and five assists, Aguilar tallied 12 points, while Standhardinger and Jamie Malonzo ended with 10 points each for the dethroned Gin Kings.

Meanwhile, the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters kept their season alive with a 103-85 victory over the Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots in Game 3 of their separate best-of-five semis series.

Down by as much as 21 points in the first half, the Fuel Masters mounted a huge fightback in the third quarter behind Johnathan Williams III and Sean Manganti to take a 71-67 lead.

Phoenix kicked off the final quarter with three straight outside connections from RJ Jazul to establish an 85-71 lead. Magnolia still threatened the claw back but Manganti and Jason Perkins delivered timely baskets to extend Fuel Masters’ lead to 103-85.

Williams III led the way with a double-double of 19 points and 15 rebounds. Jazul added 17 markers, including five three-point conversions. Manganti, Kenneth Tuffin and Mocon added 14 markers apiece, while Perkins contributed 13 points for Phoenix./ASC, WDJ

 

SAN MIGUEL 94 — Boatwright 26, Cruz 17, Lassiter 14, Perez 11, Fajardo 11, Trollano 6, Teng 6, Ross 3, Brondial 0, Tautuaa 0.

GINEBRA 91 — Bishop 25, Thompson 17, J. Aguilar 12, Malonzo 10, Standhardinger 10, Tenorio 8, Pringle 5, Pinto 2, Ahanmisi 2.

Quarterscores: 21-18, 43-42, 75-69, 94-91.

 

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