San Miguel import Devon Scott dunks the ball against TNT. PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—San Miguel Beer won for the third straight time to move on the cusp of a quarterfinals berth after eliminating TNT, 119-99, on Saturday in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Seven players scored in double figures during the lopsided affair as the Beermen improved to 6-5 to move in a tie for fifth place with the NorthPort Batang Pier, bolstering their chances of playing a best-of-three series come playoff time.
“We’ve been playing well the past three games. The players have been doing their role, that’s why we’ve been winning because we’re playing as a team,” said assistant coach Jorge Gallent.
Import Devon Scott had 28 points, 14 rebounds, three assists and four steals to lead San Miguel’s triumph over a TNT side that will miss the quarters for the first time since the 2018 Governors’ Cup.
TNT ended the dismal conference at 4-8 as injuries to key players and controversy surrounding Mikey Williams’ suspension hounded coach Chot Reyes’ side.
Not even a last-minute signing of import Matt Mobley to replace the injured Cam Oliver was not enough to salvage the Tropang Giga’s campaign.
RR Pogoy scored 23 points for shorthanded TNT, which played without Jayson Castro, Poy Erram and Kib Montalbo in its fourth consecutive defeat.
Simon Enciso was among the best players in the Beermen’s triumph with 15 points with June Mar Fajardo adding 12 points and 13 rebounds.
The Scores:
SAN MIGUEL 119 — Scott 28, Perez 17, Manuel 16, Enciso 15, Lassiter 12, Fajardo 12, Cruz 11, Brondial 4, Zamar 2, Ross 2, Canete 0, Faundo 0.
TNT 99 — Pogoy 23, K.Williams 18, Mobley 18, Tungcab 12, Soyud 11, Marcelo 6, Cruz 3, M.Williams 2, Oftana 2, Khobuntin 2, Heruela 2, Ganuelas-Rosser 0.
Quarters: 28-15, 64-40, 87-65, 119-99.