By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The San Miguel Beermen scored a dominant 109-85 victory over the Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots in Game 2 of the 2023-2024 PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Sunday night, February 4.
Bennie Boatwright, Jr. led the way with a double-double of 34 points and 10 rebounds to go with five assists and a steal as the Beermen took a 2-0 edge in the best-of-seven title series.
Jaymar Perez added 20 markers, June Mar Fajardo had a double-double of 19 points and 14 rebounds, while Marcio Lassiter and Ilonggo Jericho Cruz had 11 and 10 markers, respectively, for the Beermen.
The Beermen caught fire from the outside in the opening quarter behind Boatwright, Lassiter and Cruz for a 31-16 lead, but the Hotshots answered with nine straight points to cut the deficit to 25-31.
The Beermen opened the second frame with baskets from Boatwright and Celedonio Trollano for a 39-25 edge.
The Hotshots rallied to within 29-39, but the Beermen pulled away anew at 54-41 at the half via conversions from Boatwright.
San Miguel Beer pulled away further in the second half with baskets from Fajardo, Boatwright and Perez for their largest lead of 28 points at 72-44 on a three-point basket by Lassiter.
The Hotshots still attempted to come close after cutting the deficit to 69-86 early in the fourth quarter, but the Beermen responded with connections from Perez, Boatwright and Fajardo to pull away for good.
“We just played as a team, played as a unit. Everybody works in the practice and everyone works inside the court,” Beermen head coach Jorge Gallent said in a post-game interview.
“We just have to polish our mistakes, especially when we relax for two to three minutes. I am glad because when I call a timeout and reminded them [about relaxing], they responded right away,” he added.
Tyler Bey finished with a double-double of 22 points and 16 rebounds. Andy Mark Barroca chipped in 11 markers, while Richard Escoto contributed 10 points for the Hotshots./ASC, WDJ
SAN MIGUEL 109 — Boatwright 34, Perez 20, Fajardo 19, Lassiter 11, Cruz 10, Trollano 5, Ross 3, Teng 2, Tautuaa 2, Jimenez 2, Mallilin 1, Romeo 0.
MAGNOLIA 85 — Bey 22, Barroca 11, Escoto 10, Sangalang 8, Jalalon 6, Lee 5, Corpuz 5, Dela Rosa 4, Mendoza 4, Laput 3, Abueva 3, Eriobu 2, Tratter 2, Ahanmisi 0, Dionisio 0.
Quarterscores: 31-25, 54-41, 79-58, 109-85.