Beermen rip Fuel Masters to stay unbeaten

MANILA, Philippines -- The San Miguel Beermen remained unscathed in the PBA Philippine Cup after demolishing the Phoenix Fuel Masters, 116-102, Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

CJ Perez led the defending champions with a season-high 32 points on 13-of-20 field goal shooting.

The Fuel Masters were able to cut a 17-point lead to just seven, 96-89, in the fourth quarter with a pair of free throws by JJay Alejandro.

Phoenix was able to keep within striking distance late in the game, 96-104, with 3:24 remaining after a 3-pointer by Ken Tuffin.

San Miguel then uncorked a 9-0 run within the next two minutes to go up 113-96.

After a layup by Javee Mocon halted the run, 113-98, Perez launched a big trey that gave San Miguel their biggest lead of the night, 116-98, with 58 seconds left in the game.

Jericho Cruz and Terrence Romeo supplied the spark off the bench for San Miguel, finishing with 17 and 16 points, respectively.

Alejandro and Matthew Daves led Phoenix with 13 markers apiece.

The game was close through halftime, with San Miguel leading by just four, 49-45, heading into the second half.

Phoenix was able to cut the lead to two, 52-54, at the 9:25 mark thanks to a layup by Javee Mocon.

The Beermen then unleashed a backbreaking 19-4 run to take full control of the ballgame, 73-56, with an and-one play by Jericho Cruz.

The Fuel Masters countered with an 11-2 blitz to cut the lead to single digit anew, 67-75, with a deuce by Jason Perkins.

Timely shots by San Miguel, however, kept Phoenix chasing.

With the win, San Miguel remained on top of the playing field with three wins in three games.

Phoenix, on the other hand, dropped to 1-4.