After adding to Phoenix’s problems on Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, San Miguel continued their undefeated run in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup, defeating Phoenix with 116-102.

Despite having difficulties in their build-up, head coach Jorge Gallent was happy with the way the defending champions took charge in the third and ended strong to record their third win in as many games and maintain their top spot in the rankings.

With a season-high 32 points to lead the Beermen, CJ Perez continued his impressive play from the previous All-Star Weekend in Bacolod, where he scored 39 points for Team Mark Barroca. The injury-plagued Fuel Masters suffered their fourth loss in five games as the Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup BPC scored 12 of his points in the fourth quarter to assist his team win.

Joúo Cruz scored 17 points. The majority of SMB’s 59 bench points came from the experienced troika of Don Trollano (10 points and 5 rebounds) and Terrence Romeo (16 points on 6-of-12 shooting from the floor).
With 5:06 remaining in the third, Cruz and Trollano were a part of the group who scored 10 baskets in a row to increase their lead to 17 points, 73-56.

With just a minute remaining in the game, they led by as much as eighteen points, 116-98, thanks to the effort of June Mar Fajardo, who finished with a double-double of 13 points and 12 rebounds. Five players also scored in double figures.

The victory ought to be a good warm-up for their Friday, April 5 at 7:30 p.m. rivalry game against Ginebra.

Meanwhile, Phoenix, which is still without starting guard Tyler Tio because of a grade 3-ankle sprain and Raul Soyud because of a hamstring ailment, scored 13 points apiece from JJ Alejandro and Matthew Daves.

Javee Mocon finished with seven rebounds and 12 points. Ricci Rivero and Kent Salado each contributed ten runs, while Jason Perkins put up an 11-11-5 line.

The Fuel Masters will look to build on their extended lead before playing Converge in the Philsports Arena in Pasig on April 12.

The Scores

San Miguel 116 – Perez 32, Cruz 17, Romeo 16, Trollano 10, Tautuaa 8, Lassiter 6, Brondial 6, manuel 4, Enciso 3, Teng 1, Ross 0.

Phoenix 102 – Alejandro 13, Daves 13, Mocon 12, Perkins 11, Salado 10, Rivero 10, Tuffin 9, Muyang 6, Jazul 5, Verano 5, Manganti 4, Camaco 2, Lalata 2, Garcia 0.

Quarter scores: 27-23; 49-45; 86-75; 116-102.