Perez-led SMB topples TNT for 6th straight win

Sports

THE San Miguel Beermen rode on the hot hands of CJ Perez to stretch their winning run to six as they blasted the TNT Tropang Giga, 110-95, in the 50th PBA Philippine Cup on Friday night, Dec. 5, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

Going 11-of-17 from the field and 7-of-12 from the free throw line, Perez erupted for 33 points–the bulk of which came in the third period where the Beermen pulled away to seal the victory that earned them a piece of the lead in the team standings.

San Miguel joined the Converge FiberXers, NLEX Road Warriors, and Rain or Shine Elasto Painters at the No. 1 spot with identical 6-2 (win-loss) records. The four teams are already assured of quarterfinal seats.

The Beermen actually trailed by four at the half, 43-47, but Perez sparked a major run by scoring 17 in a blistering 39-14 run that put San Miguel ahead, 82-61, heading into the final quarter.

TNT couldn’t recover from the third-quarter slump, faltering at the finish to taste its third loss in eight games that pulled them down to fifth place along with the Magnolia Hotshots.

Jordan Heading paced the Tropa with 18 points while Calvin Oftana contributed 16.

THE SCORES:

SAN MIGUEL (110) – Perez 33, Fajardo 13, Trollano 12, Cruz 11, Teng 10, Rosales 8, Brondial 7, Calma 6, Lassiter 4, Mantua 3, Tiongson 2, Tautuaa 1, Ross 0, Miller 0, Cahilig 0.

TNT (95) – Heading 18, Oftana 16, Ganuelas-Rosser 11, Galinato 9, Ferrer 7, Nambatac 6, Aurin 6, Khobuntin 5, Jalalon 5, Enciso 5, Nieto 4, Williams 3, Erram 0, Hill 0.QUARTERSCORES: 23-20, 43-47, 82-61, 110-95.(CCM)