San Miguel import Orlando Johnson. PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—San Miguel marched to its second straight win and stopped Phoenix, 104-99, in the 2021-22 PBA Governors’ Cup Wednesday at Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Orlando Johnson, in what could be his final game, led San Miguel with 23 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and two blocks as reports suggest that former NBA player Shabazz Muhammad would be replacing him.
Johnson converted on a layup to cap off the Beermen’s 19-7 run that gave them 67-58 lead with 4:37 left in the third, effectively building their foundation to hold off Phoenix.
Matthew Wright had a chance to put the Fuel Masters to within three but he missed a couple of free throws with under a minute remaining and Vic Manuel scored off a second chance bucket to push the Beermen’s 102-94 lead with 38 seconds to play.
San Miguel bigman Vic Manuel. PBA IMAGES
“Our conference really has been a roller coaster ride because we lost our first few games then won three straight, then we lost again, then got two straight wins again,” said Beermen head coach Leo Austria.
“The team is really playing well, everybody’s been stepping up and the body language of the players really shows that they really want to win and they’re enjoying what they do.”
The Beermen improved to 5-3 and tied Alaska at the fourth seed while the Fuel Masters dropped to 4-4.
Manuel pitched in 22 points and nine rebounds for the Beermen while June Mar Fajardo finished with a 13-point, 15-rebound double-double.
Wright had 24 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, and three steals to lead Phoenix.