San Miguel extinguishes Phoenix for 2nd straight win

June Mar Fajardo against Phoenix defenders. PBA IMAGES

San Miguel seems to have found the groove early in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup after dumping Phoenix, 110-88, for its second straight win Friday at Mall of Asia Arena.

The Beermen now possess a 2-0 card while the Fuel Masters slipped to 2-2.

After finishing the opening period with a slim 24-23 lead, San Miguel caught fire and started the second quarter on a 15-0 run capped by a Marcio Lassiter 3 to gain control of the game for good.

Beermen head coach Leo Austria, who is often criticized for his players’ heavy minutes, had the opportunity to play his bench for much of the game, thanks to their early lead.

“We need to have a good start so I can rotate the players properly,” said Austria. “The bench have been working hard in practice lately.”

Bench players Keith Agovida and Rashawn McCarthy suited up in the early stages of the game while seldom-used big man Arnold Van Opstal got to close the match for the Beermen.

Reigning three-time MVP June Mar Fajardo paced San Miguel with 22 and eight rebounds while Charles Rhodes had a 19-point, 10-rebound double-double.

Arwind Santos also had his double-double as he finished with 11 points and 10 boards while Lassiter and Alex Cabagnot had 15 and 14 points, respectively.

Jameel McKay led Phoenix with 21 points and 16 rebounds.