PBA: San Miguel thwarts NLEX comeback for winning start

San Miguel Beermen’s CJ Perez during the PBA Philippine Cup game against NLEX Road Warriors. –PBA IMAGES

San Miguel Beer’s road to redemption almost got to a rocky start but was able to foil NLEX’s comeback to take a 98-89 win in the PBA Philippine Cup Saturday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

CJ Perez scored 28 points while Juami Tiongson knocked down a go-ahead three as the Beermen prevented the Road Warriors from completing a comeback victory to begin the season-ending conference on a winning note.

SCHEDULE: PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup 2025

The Beermen are eager to redeem themselves after failing to make the playoffs in the Commissioner’s Cup.

But San Miguel is hoping that the winning start would bode well in the tournament which it had won in six of the past 10 editions, and finished runner-up to Meralco in last year’s Finals.

Tiongson scored 17, including a three-point shot that broke an 85-all tie that enabled San Miguel to preserve the win despite blowing a 15-point lead.

June Mar Fajardo, who lost a considerable amount of weight, added 13 points, 11 rebounds and five assists for SMB.

Robert Bolick scored 12 points but was 2-of-11 from the field for NLEX amid reports that he is unsatisfied with the team’s situation.

But the Road Warriors had earlier said that coach Jong Uichico continues to enjoy the backing of management.

Michael Miranda had 15 points, including two four-point shots, for NLEX in the defeat.