San Miguel import Devon Scott. — PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—San Miguel Beer held off Meralco on Friday afternoon, 113-108, annexing a fourth-straight victory and generating much-needed momentum for the next round of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
Save for a tie early into the opening frame and the Bolts’ fightback down the stretch, the Beermen were dominant all game long, drawing production from their import Devon Scott and locals, which included returning spitfire guard Terrence Romeo.
Scott had 32 points and 13 rebounds, while Romeo had 12 points off the bench. Marcio Lassiter turned in 13 more in the scoring effort as the Beermen finished the elimination phase with seven wins and five losses.
San Miguel is currently locked in a best-of-three spot and will be facing young and dangerous Converge in the quarterfinals.
“We learned our lessons. We’re sure we’re gonna watch a lot of film,” Gallent said of the FiberXers, whom they lost to in their first meeting.
“At the time we didn’t have June Mar (Fajardo). So I think we have a good chance of playing better with June Mar around,” the deputy added.
Meralco, already eliminated since its loss against NLEX, drew 27 points from KJ McDaniels and then 21 more from Aaron Black.
The Bolts finished their conference with a 4-8 record.
Gallent said that coach Leo Austria, who missed the Beermen’s last four games due to the league’s health and safety protocols, will return to the coaching saddle once the champion mentor is primed for it.
“We’re still waiting for him. Once coach Leo’s ready mentally and physically, he’s going to rejoin us,” he said.