San Miguel’s Robbie Herndon. –PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines–Put in a tight contest by an enemy led by its former star, San Miguel turned to its new guys in the final frame to frustrate NorthPort, 122-106, in the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup Saturday night at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
Robbie Herndon and Jericho Cruz combined for 21 points in that fourth-quarter pull-away to claim a third-straight win and retake leadership of the race with a 6-1 record.
“I came to this team a little late, so I had to fast-track the process of getting accustomed to my new teammates and their new system. Nothing comes overnight so I stayed patient and positive. I knew eventually that I’d be able to play my game here in San Miguel,” said Herndon, who was acquired by San Miguel in a sign-and-trade deal with Converge last June.
Herndon finished with 21 points, tying the output of cornerstone June Mar Fajardo. Cruz, who moved to San Miguel in February through free agency had 12 to backstop the double-digit productions of like Paul Zamar, Marcio Lassiter, and CJ Perez who was also one rebound short of a triple-double.
Arwind Santos had 25 points for the Batang Pier in the process of making the 10,000-points club. Roi Sumang added 20 in the losing effort which doomed the club to 2-5.
The Scores:
SAN MIGUEL 122 – Herndon 21, Fajardo 21, Lassiter 18, Perez 17, Zzamar 15, Cruz 12, Enciso 7,
Brondial 6, Faundo 3, Pessumal 2, Canete 0
NORTHPORT 106 – Santos 25, Sumang 20, Calma 14, Balanza 12, Malonzo 10, Dela Cruz 8, Ayaay 8, Javier 4, Ferrer 3, Apacible 2, Vigil 0, Subido 0
QUARTERS: 25-29, 55-55, 82-82, 122-106