Bennie back, San Miguel bites back

ANTIPOLO , Philippines — “Bennie Buckets” is back in the fold and San Miguel Beer is back on track.

Bennie Boatwright heralded his PBA return with a 41-point performance to power the Beermen to a 98-94 pull-around win over NLEX in the Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup at Ynares Center-Antipolo last night.

Boatwright, SMB’s third import in the mid-season conference, led the way as the Beermen wiped out NLEX’ initial 15 and outraced the second-running Road Warriors in a tight finish en route to an even 4-4 card.

As they snapped their two-game skid, the Beermen also stopped the four-match streak of the second-running Road Warriors, who slipped to 6-2.

The 6-foot-10 Boatwright, who anchored the Beermen to the championship in the Season 48 edition, knocked down two crucial free throws and dunk that keyed their 6-0 closeout in the last 1:11.

As if by design, that final salvo was capped by CJ Perez, whose dagger layup in the last 9.3 seconds earned him a place in the league’s 5,000-point club. Perez needed 12 to achieve this milestone and finished with 13 markers.

“It feels good to be back home,” said Boatwright.