San Miguel earns first PBA Gov’s Cup win, subdues Rain or Shine

Arizona Reid. PBA IMAGES

Finally a mark on San Miguel’s win column.

The Beermen snapped their three-game losing skid and disposed of Rain or Shine, 104-91, Tuesday in the 2015 PBA Governor’s Cup at Mall of Asia Arena.

It was a horrible start for the Philippine Cup champions, falling into a 0-3 hole to start the new conference.

Beermen head coach Leo Austria said his team found the sense of urgency and realized that they cannot lose anymore.

“We were glad we won. A lot of people were criticizing us, especially the players,” Austria said. “We read a lot of articles about trades, changing of players, changing of coach, changing of the import.”

“This game saves a lot of morale for the players.”

An urgency was seen from the players indeed.

From a 43-42 halftime deficit, the Beermen went into a the third quarter with renewed energy.

San Miguel outscored the Painters 32-17 in the said quarter and went up by as much as 17 points, 75-58.

But Rain or Shine managed to cut the lead to six, 95-89, after Gabe Norwood made two freebies.

Beermen import AZ Reid shrugged off his upset stomach and played like the Best Import that he was and gave San Miguel a quick nine-point lead, 98-89, with a smooth three-point play.

Austria said he envisioned a 2-0 start to the Beermen’s conference but injuries and sickness to his players made the numbers switch positions.

Defending MVP June Mar Fajardo had a swollen ankle three days before their conference, Reid had acute gastroenteritis, former MVP Arwind Santos had an injured shoulder, Marcio Lassiter had a viral infection.

Even their subs were not spared with David Semerad spraining his ankle and could miss the whole conference while Ronald Pascual also sustained a shoulder injury.

It was mainly a Reid-Fajardo show for San Miguel as the import recorded 36 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, two steals, and one block.

Fajardo, meanwhile, had 22 points, 18 rebounds, and three blocks.

Wendell McKines led Rain or Shine with 19 points and 10 rebounds.

The scores:

SAN MIGUEL 104 – Reid 36, Fajardo 22, Cabagnot 9, Lassiter 9, Tubid 8, Santos 6, Lutz 4, Ross 4, Espinas 4, Reyes 2, Omolon 0.

RAIN OR SHINE 91 – McKines 19, Lee 17, Norwood 12, Quinahan 12, Cruz Jericho 11, Almazan 8, Uyloan 7, Ibanes 3, Belga 2, Teng 0, Arana 0, Cruz Jervy 0.

Quarters: 25-20, 43-42, 75-59, 104-91