PBA: Beermen overpower Batang Pier in Davao City

PBA Petron Saturday special in Davao. PBA IMAGES

DAVAO CITY – San Miguel Beer made a show of force and overpowered GlobalPort, 97-86, to start its title defense of the 2016 Smart Bro-PBA Philippine Cup at University of Southeastern Philippines Gym Saturday.

Though a slow start put the Beermen behind after the first quarter, 26-20, the reigning champions overcame their miscues and blasted the Batang Pier and never looked back.

“Everybody expected us to win and the expectations for us is too high, so we’re just happy to get this win,” said head coach Leo Austria.

San Miguel drew huge contributions from Alex Cabagnot and Gabby Espinas and posted a lead as high as 17 in the fourth.

Keith Jensen and Doug Kramer tried to revive GlobalPort in the last five minutes, but June Mar Fajardo canned crucial baskets in clutch to secure San Miguel’s first win.

The back-to-back MVP looked fresh off a layoff and showed the way for the Beermen with 21 points, 17 rebounds, and three blocked shots.

Cabagnot added 19 markers, as Arwind Santos chipped in 11.

Stanley Pringle paced GlobalPort with 20 points and eight rebounds, but he didn’t have much support with an ailing Terrence Romeo only able to contribute five markers.

The Scores:

SAN MIGUEL 97 – Fajardo 21, Cabagnot 19, Santos 11, Lassiter 10, Espinas 10, Lutz 9, Reyes 4, Arana 3, De Ocampo 3, Heruela 3, Ross 2, Tubid 2.
GLOBALPORT 86 – Pringle 20, Jensen 16, Yeo 13, Kramer 10, Maierhofer 6, Romeo 5, Uyloan 5, Washington 5, Mamaril 4, Taha 2, Paniamogan 0, Pena 0, Sumang 0.

Quarters: 20-26, 49-37, 71-58, 97-87.