San Miguel Beermen’s CJ Perez within the PBA Philippine Cup. –PBA IMAGES
San Miguel Beer’s third quarter explosion in handing winless Converge one other frustrating defeat on Friday was one other indication of its lofty billing, provided coach Jorge Gallent’s system is followed to the letter.
“If we share the ball, we’re an amazing team. If we don’t share the ball, we’re not an amazing team,” Gallent said after the Beermen improved to 6-0 within the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup after a 112-103 win at PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
The Beermen kept their unbeaten run within the all-Filipino tournament, thanks largely to a 51-point output within the third frame anchored by veteran shooter Marcio Lassiter, as San Miguel turned a half-time deficit of seven right into a lead that went to as high as 25.
That period also saw San Miguel dish out 14 of its 17 assists which resulted in that crippling scoring spree that again left the FiberXers denied of their latest seek for an elusive first win.
First qualifier
Converge dropped to 0-8 and lost for the twelfth straight time dating back to the import-flavored Commissioner’s Cup.
For San Miguel, the victory virtually assured the tournament’s titleholder a seat within the quarterfinals with still a handful of games to go.
The win over Converge also served as the beginning of San Miguel’s busy stretch of games to conclude the eliminations, with NorthPort, now at 4-4 after three straight defeats, next on Sunday at the identical venue.
Lassiter scored 19 points, hitting 17 in that third quarter surge highlighted by five three-pointers for a tally that moved him one shy of tying Blackwater’s James Yap for fourth all-time in triples made at 1,194.
“I felt like they controlled the pace and tempo in the primary half and we truthfully kinda fell into it,” said Lassiter. “We made higher adjustments within the second half, controlling our tempo and never falling to the fast-paced game, and taking good shots.”
He was one in all five players in double figures for the Beermen, including topscorer CJ Perez with 25 and Terrence Romeo hitting 18 off the bench.
June Mar Fajardo added 14 points, 17 rebounds, three assists and 4 blocks in his latest battle with sophomore slot man Justin Arana, who was again left to endure one other difficult outing for Converge.
Arana had 18 points, but grabbed just 4 boards as guard Alec Stockton’s 36 points led the FiberXers.
