Beermen buck flat start, repulse Dyip for 3rd straight win

MANILA, Philippines — San Miguel Beer got their bearings just in time to turn back Columbian, 129-117, in the nightcap of Wednesday’s PBA Commissioner’s Cup action at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Finding themselves on the backseat early, the defending conference champions slowly chafed on the lead. They leaned on the combined efforts of June Mar Fajardo, Billy Mamaril, and Arwind Santos to keep the Dyip within striking range.

Come second period, Santos kept at it. Chris Ross, import Renaldo Balkman and Marcio Lassiter picked up the scoring cudgels from their teammates to erect a double-digit lead of their own going into the intermission.

Columbian tried to narrow the gap but San Miguel’s momentum did not wear off in a payoff period filled with runs. The Dyip managed to cut it down to just five but Fajardo and Balkman were simply too much to handle down low.

“Every time na we face [Columbian], I’m really worried because we have a history with this team. Even in the elimination or tuneup games, hirap na hirap kaming manalo [sa kanila],” San Miguel Beer head coach Leo Austria said.

"Masaya ako na nanalo pero malungkot rin dahil we gave up 117 points. It’s not an indication na we played well in defense. In the next few games, we have to play defense and concentrate on execute plays … Maybe it’s the complacency of the team,” he added.

"Before the game, makikita mo yung body language, talagang relaxed na relaxed eh. Mabuti nalang, in the second quarter they realized na this game is really important for us,” he added.

Fajardo finished with 37 points and 18 boards. Alex Cabagnot, whose quiet performance was almost eclipsed by his teammates’ brilliant showing, also had a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds.

The Beermen have now won three straight after dropping their first three. The dynastic squad also dealt the Dyip their fifth loss in eight outings.

San Miguel moves to face GlobalPort on June 13 while Columbian gets to test Phoenix’s mettle on June 10.

The scores:

San Miguel 129 – Fajardo 37, Balkman 27, Cabagnot 20, Santos 18, Ross 10, Lassiter 6, Mamaril 6, Pessumal 5, Ganuelas-Rosser 0, Lanete 0

Columbian 117 – McCarthy 19, Fields 19, Celda 19, Ababou 14, Lastimosa 13, Camson 12, Khobuntin 9, Tubid 6, Escoto 6, Corpuz 0, Cabrera 0, King 0, Cahilig 0.

Quarters: 31-33; 69-55; 97-89; 129-117.