Boone stars as San Miguel Beer routs Ginebra

By: Mark Giongco - 10 years ago

Josh Boone of San Miguel (light) vs Greg Slaughter and Jay-r Reyes of Ginebra (dark). PBA IMAGE by Nuki Sabio

MANILA, Philippines — San Miguel Beer rode on a strong start before repelling repeated rallies by Barangay Ginebra to win, 112-96, in the 2014 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Sunday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Possibly making the most out of his stay, import Josh Boone notched 32 points and 21 rebounds to lead the Beermen, who improved to 2-0 without perhaps their best local June Mar Fajardo.

“He had a good game tonight. He’s a professional beyond belief. I can’t say enough of him,” said SMB active consultant Todd Purves of the former NBA player Boone, who could still be replaced despite his strong showing.

The six-foot-10 Fajardo has yet to suit up this conference due to a sprained left ankle.

The Kings moved to within eight twice with the last coming at the 10:18 mark of the fourth period, 72-80, before the Beermen put the game away for good thanks to a 17-4 run.

Reigning MVP Arwind Santos capped that telling run to give SMB a 97-76 advantage with only 5:28 remaining.

Import Leon Rodgers led all scorers with 33 points but had to work for every point. He also struggled from the field especially from downtown where he is usually most dangerous — misfiring on all of his seven attempts.

The Kings’ frontcourt of Greg Slaughter and Japeth Aguilar were also limited to measly contributions. Slaughter had 13 points and seven rebounds while Aguilar tallied just four points and had as many fouls as rebounds with three.

SMB wasted little time in asserting its game with a 37-point opening quarter with Marcio Lassiter scoring 10 points of his 15 in that period alone. Santos posted 18 points.

The Beermen had 22 second chance points and pounced on the Kings’ errors with 25 points off turnovers.

Ginebra dropped to 1-1 after winning over Barako Bull last Friday.

Originally posted at 7:36 pm | Sunday, March 9, 2014