PBA: Boatwright scores 51, streaking San Miguel nears twice-to-beat

San Miguel Beermen import Bennie Boatwright.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–San Miguel picked Terrafirma apart on Sunday night, 132-110, to move closer to a twice-to-beat playoff advantage in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

Import Bennie Boatwright Jr. put up 51 points and 12 rebounds to help the Beermen annex a fourth-straight win that ultimately hiked their record to 7-3 overall.

“I give all the credit to my coaches, and my teammates—they were all looking out for me today,” whose 50-piece was the first since Shabazz Muhammad scored 57 points during the 2022 Governors’ Cup.

“This team has had a lot of accolades over the past years so I’m excited to be a part of it, [but first] make a run in the playoffs,” he added as San Miguel stayed within the Top 4, just behind Meralco and Phoenix who are tied at second place.

Bennie Boatwright dunks against Terrafirma.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Don Trollano was solid yet again, finishing with 22 points, while Mo Tautuaa and CJ Perez added 16 points each. Terrence Romeo chipped in 12 more coming off the bench as the Beermen set their sights against another also-ran squad in Blackwater.

It is also on that Jan 12. clash with the Bossing that cornerstone June Mar Fajardo is expected to play his first game back from a hand injury.

Javi Gomez de Liaño topscored Terrafirma with 26 points, while four others, including import Thomas de Thaey, added at least 11 each in the losing stand that had the Dyip dropping to a 2-8 mark.

The perennial whipping boys will try to end their conference with a win against Meralco also on Jan. 12.

The Scores:

SAN MIGUEL 132 – Boatwright 51, Trollano 22, Tautuaa 16, Perez 16, Romeo 12, Lassiter 6, Cruz 6, Brondial 2, Ross 1, Teng 0

TERRAFIRMA 110– Gomez de Liano 26, De Thaey 17, Tiongson 17, Holt 13, Camson 11, Sangalang 6, Cahilig 6, Carino 6, Miller 4, Alolino 4, Go 0, Ramos 0

Quarterscores: 33-30, 67-60, 103-91, 132-110.