Beermen close in on top two, beat Fuel Masters
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San Miguel got into a rhythm in the second half and torched Phoenix, 121-109, in the 2016 Oppo PBA Commissioner’s Cup Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Tyler Wilkerson followed up his 58-point performance in a triple overtime win over NLEX last Tuesday with 40 points, 19 rebounds, three steals and two blocks to lead the Beermen’s comeback from 19 points down.
READ: Beermen overcome Thornton, NLEX in 3OT
“We all know how important this game is,” said coach Leo Austria. “They scared us in the first half after they led us by 19.”
“It was a good lesson for us because the teams that are out of the players, they will work hard against us because of the pride of beating our team,” said Austria. “We never had an easy game before because they know we are the team to beat.”
The Beermen got their game going in the last two quarters, where they drilled in 11 triples.
San Miguel improved to 7-3 and a win over TNT will assure itself of the last twice-to-beat incentive in the playoffs.
“Since last week, we’ve been looking at that scenario. That game is important because we want to be in the top two and we have a big chance to get there,” said Austria.
Marcio Lassiter shook off poor shooting in the first half to come away with 14 points on a 4-of-13 shooting from threes, June Mar Fajardo chipped in 12 markers and 10 rebounds while Gabby Espinas registered 12 points and seven boards.
READ: Gary David set to join Beermen
The game also saw debut of newly acquired Gary David, who was fielded in at the 1:45 mark of the fourth quarter.
Kevinn Pinkney led Phoenix (3-8) with 38 points and 11 rebounds.
The scores:
SAN MIGUEL 121 – Wilkerson 40, Cabagnot 16, Lassiter 14, Fajardo 12, Espinas 12, Ross 8, Santos 8, Heruela 4, Arana 3, David 2, Tubid 2, Lutz 0, Reyes 0, Semerad 0.
PHOENIX 109 – Pinkney 38, Intal 14, Urbiztondo 10, Pennisi 8, Garcia 8, Monfort 6, Forrester 6, Lanete 4, Baracael 4, Wilson 3, Caperal 2, Miranda 2, Sorongon 2, Brondial 2, Knuttel 0.
Quarters: 22-32, 54-55, 87-78, 121-109.
