Beermen grab top spot, send Elite to a winless campaign

Ronald Tubid of San Miguel Beermen (light) vsRobby Celiz of Blackwater Elite (dark). PBA IMAGE by Nuki Sabio

MANILA, Philippines — San Miguel Beer clinched the top spot and earned an outright semifinals stint following a 91-62 win over Blackwater in the 2015 PBA Philippine Cup Tuesday at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Ronald Tubid was a spark off the bench and scored 18 points on 6-of-7 shooting from the field for the Beermen, who went ahead of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the standings despite having similar 9-2 records due to the winner-over-the-other rule.

“At the start of the season, I didn’t expect us to be number one because it’s a new system and most of my players were in the injury list,” said SMB head coach Leo Austria. “But I’m happy to see them embrace the new system.”

“I think the team is playing as one. We’re on the same page because we really wanted to get this,” Austria added.

Sol Mercado had 15 points and five assists while reigning MVP June Mar Fajardo just missed a double-double with 14 points and nine rebounds that went with four blocks.

Austria managed his players minutes and swingman Chris Lutz logging in the most with 26 minutes of action.

The Beermen shot 9-of-16 from 3-point range and 46% overall while also holding the Elite, who ended their first ever conference in the PBA winless at 0-11, to only 29% shooting from the field.

San Miguel Beer will have a nine-day break and Austria said the long layoff will benefit his team.

“Happy to have a long break because most of my players are nursing mjnor injuries.”

Only the veteran Eddie Laure notched double-digit scoring for Blackwater with 10. The Elite missed the services of stocky guard Brian Heruela due to a left shoulder injury.

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