Hot-shooting San Miguel sinks Alaska anew

Alex Cabagnot. PBA IMAGES

San Miguel continues to own Alaska’s number.

Even without June Mar Fajardo, the Beermen still were a force to be reckoned with, waxing hot from rainbow country to rout Alaska, 116-96, Wednesday in the 2016 Oppo PBA Commissioner’s Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“With that kind of shooting, mahirap kaming bantayan,” said coach Leo Austria, as San Miguel snapped the Aces’ five-game winning run.

The Beermen went crazy from beyond the arc, going 17-of-37 from threes for an amazing 47-percent shooting clip to diffuse any fightback from the Aces in a rematch of the Philippine Cup Finals.

Tyler Wilkerson dropped four treys en route to his game-high 32 points that went alongside 14 rebounds, two assists, and two steals, while Alex Cabagnot fired 16 of his 22 markers in the payoff period pullaway.

Arwind Santos also had 18 points, while Chris Ross stabilized the fort with 14 markers, 12 assists, six boards, and three steals.

Marcio Lassiter also had 14 in the win.

“We’re not expecting that we will be playing well like this. Before the game, I’m a little bit worried because we have a lot of injuries, but I’m happy to see my players sacrificing a lot for the team,” said Austria, as San Miguel occupies solo third spot with a 4-2 card.

Aside from Fajardo, who is nursing his right knee injury, Ronald Tubid, Ryan Arana, and Brian Heruela are also in the sick bay for the Beermen.

After going down by as much as 21, Alaska fought back and trimmed the lead to just 11, 85-74, early in the fourth. The Beermen, however, would respond with a scathing 26-10 tear ignited and capped off by treys from Cabagnot to break away for good, 111-84, with 3:26 remaining.

It was a sorry birthday gift for coach Alex Compton, whose wards went down to 5-2.

Shane Edwards was unimpressive in the defeat with 15 points and 12 rebounds, while Chris Exciminano also got 15 markers.

Vic Manuel tallied 13 points and nine boards, while Calvin Abueva and Chris Banchero both had 12 markers in the defeat.

The Scores:

SAN MIGUEL 116 – Wilkerson 32, Cabagnot 22, Santos 18, Lassiter 14, Ross 14, Espinas 10, Reyes 6, Lutz 0, Mabulac 0, Omolon 0, Semerad 0.
ALASKA 96 – Edwards 15, Exciminiano 15, Manuel 13, Abueva 12, Banchero 12, Thoss 11, Dela Rosa 8, Jazul 6, Baguio 2, Hontiveros 2, Dela Cruz 0, Menk 0.

Quarters: 25-18, 55-42, 80-66, 116-96.