PBA: Beermen get back on track with rout of Aces

MANILA, Philippines–San Miguel carved out a resounding 119-107 victory over Alaska to bounce back from a narrow loss and tab a victory coach Leo Austria feels should propel the Beermen back to their winning ways.

Arwind Santos and Marcio Lassiter took turns in dealing the blows in a scorching second quarter barrage as the Beermen built a cushion that proved too much for the Aces Friday in PBA Commissioner’s Cup action at Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay.

“We didn’t want to be left behind at the bottom,” coach Leo Austria said. “We didn’t have a good start. But I’m so happy that we were able to recover and get up the lead in the first half to 24 points.”

Alex Cabagnot ended up scoring the most for the Beermen with 31 points—equaling his season high—while dishing out six assists. Import Charles Rhodes and Lassiter each scored 23 while Santos finished with 15 off the bench.

The Aces, meanwhile, turned to four of their starters to keep up with their foes. Chris Banchero had 26 points, reinforcement Chris Daniels 23, as Simon Enciso and Jeron Teng combined for 29.

San Miguel, one of the protagonists in last year’s conference Finals, went up by as many as 28 in the contest.

And that should herald good tidings for Beermen, who admittedly are cramming victories in the midseason conference.

San Miguel’s next assignment is Magnolia next Wednesday at Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.

Alaska, on the other hand, looks to arrests its two-game skid at the expense of defending champion Barangay Ginebra on June 30 also at the Big Dome.

The Scores

San Miguel 119 – Cabagnot 31, Rhodes 23, Lassiter 23, Santos 15, Fajardo 14, Standhardinger 6, Nabong 3, Rosser 2, Zamar 2, Pessumal 0, Ross 0, Tubid 0.

Alaska 107 – Banchero 26, Daniels 23, Enciso 18, Teng 11, Ayaay 8, Pascual 6, Manuel 6, Casio 5, Thoss 4, Exciminiano 0, Racal 0, Cruz 0.

Quarterscores: 29-27, 65-41, 85-67, 119-107