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With firepower too potent to shut down, San Miguel Beer was just too much for undermanned NLEX to handle on the road, with the Beermen scoring a 125-114 decision in a PBA Commissioner’s Cup Petron Saturday Special contest at Calasiao Sports Complex in Pangasinan.
June Mar Fajardo, the reigning four-time MVP, and Renaldo Balkman, the import with unfinished business, completed double-doubles for the Beermen, who climbed up to the middle of the standings with their fifth win in four games.
The win was also the ax for the Road Warriors, who have battled manpower woes all tournament long and at 2-8, bowed out of the race.
Fajardo had 30 points and 13 rebounds and Balkman 25 and 16 for the defending champions, who also drew 26 points from gunslinger Marcio Lassiter.
Arnett Moultrie, the NBA veteran, scored 43 points and had 14 rebounds for the Road Warriors, who were without guards Kiefer Ravena and Kevin Alas and injured swingman Larry Fonacier.
Meanwhile, Rain or Shine tangles with Meralco Sunday, shooting to formally bag top spot in the playoffs.
The league-leading Elasto Painters will come into the 4:30 p.m. game not only putting a five-game winning streak on the line but also No. 1 seeding at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“I just keep on reminding the team that even though we’re on top, it’s still difficult because we’ve been winning games that are close,” said Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia.
The Elasto Painters nipped the Phoenix Fuel Masters, 108-106, in a come-from-behind style after trailing by as many as 19 points.
Opposite the Bolts, they certainly can’t play that way despite Meralco’s 91-85 defeat at the hands of sister squad TNT KaTropa 48 hours ago.
Meralco is tied at third with the KaTropa even as second-running Alaska slugs it out with Barangay Ginebra in the other game at 6:45 p.m.
The Aces, coming off a Meralco setback, are also chasing the twice-to-beat advantage.
“Ginebra is playing great basketball right now and I feel like it will be a playoff atmosphere,” said Alaska coach Alex Compton.
Winning their last three assignments, the Gin Kings (4-5) are peaking at the right time with Greg Slaughter and Japeth Aguilar complementing Justin Brownlee.