San Miguel sets season record in route of Rain or Shine
San Miguel point guard Alex Cabagnot gets tangled up as Elasto Painters Jeff Chan and Paul Lee stop him in his tracks. NUKI SABIO
MANILA, Philippines–Beer run, anyone?
San Miguel showed a performance worthy of the silver screen as it clamped down Rain or Shine, 129-114, Friday evening at Smart Araneta Coliseum to set its first two-game win streak of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
It was also a league-record for points for the Beermen for the 2014-2015 season.
San Miguel was on cruise control pretty much the whole second half but a few untimely celebrations from import AZ Reid got the ire of his former coach Yeng Guiao.
Guiao was ejected with only two minutes left in the game after a subtle elbow on Reid who was talking in front of the Rain or Shine bench, and Guiao did not take his former import’s words that lightly.
Reid, however, acknowledged his wrongdoing and promised that he would ask for Guiao’s forgiveness.
“It’s nothing personal,” Reid said. “Basketball is not personal for me.”
“I said things I should’ve not said. I should have been more respectful.”
Reid did have some reasons to celebrate as his hot shooting from deep gave San Miguel a 19-point lead, 109-90, at the 8:19 mark of the fourth courtesy of his three-pointer from the left wing.
That three was Reid’s fourth in the fourth quarter alone, sixth overall in the game.
After Reid’s three, it was all a downward spiral for Rain or Shine with Guiao’s ejection the bitter cherry on top.
Reigning MVP June Mar Fajardo gave the Beermen a 20-point lead with 3:23 left with a simple layup in the post.
Beermen head coach Leo Austria said they can still go to the quarterfinals even in their turbulent season.
“It’s good, we’re getting a clear view of the quarterfinals” Austria said whose team is at 11th with a 3-6 record. “We still have a big chance.”
Only eight teams can enter the semifinals and the current eighth seed is Barako Bull with a 4-5 record.
Reid led the scoring for the Beermen with 41 points as he also grabbed seven rebounds but it was the Kraken Fajardo who obliterated the Elasto Painters defense as he finished with a nasty line of 30 points, 19 rebounds and three blocks.
Arwind Santos and Alex Cabagnot also put up good scoring numbers with 18 and 14 points, respectively.
Wayne Chism put up a massive 50-point, 16-rebound game but he can only do enough as he had little help from his teammates.
Rain or Shine tied Purefoods at third with a 5-3 record.
