SMB outlasts Magnolia to snap 2-game slide

Sports

THE San Miguel Beermen picked up a crucial win by downing sister team Magnolia Hotshots, 85-78, in the 49th PBA Commissioner’ Cup on Sunday, January 12, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

The two squads came into the match badly needing a win to boost their faltering playoff campaign. In the end, it was the Beermen who pulled through, using a 16-4 run in the endgame to seal the win and snap a two-game skid.

The Beermen improved to 4-4 (win-loss) while the Hotshots fell to the 11th spot in the team standings with a 3-6 slate.

CJ Perez led the Beermen with 23 points, 11 of them he made in the fourth period where his team battled back from a 69-74 deficit in the final 4:24.

It was a brilliant all-around game for Perez as he also had 10 assists, six rebounds, and four steals.

San Miguel import Jabari Narcis added 18 points and 23 rebounds, June Mar Fajardo threw in 13 points, 14 boards, and six assists .

Helping the Beermen’s cause were Juami Tiongson and Jericho Cruz, who added 13 and 10 points, respectively.

The losing Hotshots were led by Ricardo Ratliffe, who tallied 24 points and 15 rebounds.

THE SCORES:

SAN MIGUEL (85) - Perez 23, Narcis 18, Tiongson 13, Fajardo 13, Cruz 10, Lassiter 8, Ross 0, Brondial 0, Trollano 0, Cahilig 0.

MAGNOLIA (78) - Ratliffe 24, Barroca 13, Lucero 9, Lasimosa 9, Sangalang 6, Dela Rosa 4, Abueva 4, Alfaro 4, Ahanmisi 3, Balanza 2, Dionisio 0, Laput 0.

QUARTERSCORES: 20-17, 40-29, 60-60, 85-78.(CCM)