‘Sharp’ Beermen get Grand Slam bid going with rout of Elite

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

ANTIPOLO — There wasn’t a hint of championship hangover and not a stain of rust.

San Miguel Beer wasted no time in getting its Grand Slam bid rolling after pounding Blackwater from the get-go en route to a 118-93 thumping Saturday inn the 2017 PBA Governors’ Cup at Ynares Center here.

Marcio Lassiter set the tone, unleashing eight of his 19 points in the opening period, where the Beermen started to pull away.

Wendell McKines fired 16 of his 19 points in the middle quarters, where San Miguel’s lead swelled to 37, 94-57.

“This is our best start after winning the championship. I’m proud of the players that despite the long and extended break, they were still sharp,” said SMB head coach Leo Austria. “They are self-motivated. At the back of their minds, they are thinking about the Grand Slam.”

The 28-year-old McKines, who is in his third PBA duty after suiting up for Alaska in 2013 and Rain or Shine in 2015, also collected 12 rebounds and five assists in just 20 minutes and 53 seconds while the hot-shooting Lassiter converted 5-of-7 triples.

Blackwater import Trevis Simpson tried to play through a groin injury but could only do so much. He was pulled out after logging just less than 10 minutes and did not return.

Simpson, who sustained the injury in a loss to Star on Friday, was scoreless after missing all of his three attempts from the field.

JP Erram had another stellar performance with 14 points, 15 rebounds and two blocks as he and Mike DiGregorio carried the load for the Elite, who reeled to their third loss in as many games.