Charles Rhodes tries to block Gabe Norwood. PBA IMAGES
San Miguel preserved its immaculate record with a 111-98 thumping of Rain or Shine in the Petron Saturday Special of the 2017 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at Mall of Asia Arena
Charles Rhodes fired 14 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter breakaway, on top of six rebounds and two assists, while Gabby Espinas added 15 markers, eight boards, and four assists.
“It’s not that easy to get to win number five, especially with this game,” said coach Leo Austria. “In the start, our big men got into foul trouble, especially Charles Rhodes. But in history of our team, everytime he gets into foul trouble, he still manages to stay in the game and score a lot. That’s how important he is to the team.”
Coming off his first scoreless game in four years, June Mar Fajardo also bounced back with 14 points and eight rebounds, while Alex Cabagnot also had 14 as the Beermen nabbed their fifth straight win.
It was a dominant showing from San Miguel as it shot 52-percent from the field, including a 10-of-28 clip from three, while also registering 25 assists.
Buoyed by Arwind Santos’ 13 points in the second period, the Beermen zoomed ahead and unleashed a 31-point outburst to take a 57-44 lead at the half.
Rain or Shine still tried to cut the deficit to 10, 85-75, with nine minutes to play in the fourth period, but Rhodes restored order anew before Marcio Lassiter gave San Miguel its biggest lead at 21, 102-81, with left 4:13 on the clock.
Shawn Taggart paced Rain or Shine (4-3) with 24 points and 10 rebounds, but he committed seven of the squad’s 21 turnovers.
Jeff Chan and Maverick Ahanmisi both had 16 in the loss.
The Scores:
SAN MIGUEL 111 – Rhodes 26, Espinas 15, Cabagnot 14, Fajardo 14, Santos 13, Lassiter 12, Ross 10, De Ocampo 5, Heruela 2, Garcia 0.
RAIN OR SHINE 98 – Taggart 24, Ahanmisi 16, Chan 16, Yap 13, Cruz 11, Belga 8, Norwood 5, Ponferrada 5, Tolomia 0, Tiu 0, Almazan 0, Washington 0.
Quarters: 26-23, 57-44, 82-68, 111-98.