PBA: San Miguel bounces back, keeps NorthPort winless

San Miguel import Cameron Clark in the PBA Governors’ Cup. –PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines–San Miguel Beer primed itself for a pair of big matches later this week after defeating NorthPort, 145-132, in a high-scoring PBA Governors’ Cup affair on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.

Hitting 65 percent of their shots and dishing out 46 assists, the Beermen were able to keep the Batang Pier winless while redeeming themselves from a loss to the Converge FiberXers that ended a 5-0 start.

Gallent, however, wasn’t truly satisfied with the overall performance that saw San Miguel tying TNT on top of the standings with identical 6-1 slates.

“We dished out 46 assists, but our defense was terrible,” Gallent said.

The win came before the Beermen face heavyweights Barangay Ginebra on Friday at Smart Araneta Coliseum and the Tropang Giga on Sunday at Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

Import Cameron Clark, perhaps one of many imports who performed well this conference, put up 44 points, nine rebounds and seven assists for the Beermen.

June Mar Fajardo bounced back after fouling out against Converge and registered 29 points and 12 assists while Simon Enciso dished out a career-high 13 assists.

NorthPort remained the only team without a victory in the season-ending conference after being handed a sixth consecutive defeat.

Import Kevin Murphy, who played for the Beermen in the 2018 Commissioner’s Cup, scored 39 points for the Batang Pier.

The scores:

SAN MIGUEL 145 — Clark 44, Fajardo 29, Perez 24, Lassiter 16, Manuel 12, Cruz 9, Bulanadi 5, Enciso 3, Tautuaa 3, Brondial 0, Ross 0.

NORTHPORT 132 — Murphy 39, Tolentino 32, Bolick 16, Zamar 14, Calma 11, Chan 9, Caperal 4, Ayaay 4, Munzon 3, Balagasay 0, Taha 0.

Quarters: 40-36, 72-67, 108-96, 145-132.