San Miguel rides the crest of a nine-game winning streak heading into the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup playoffs.
After an uncharacteristic 0-2 start to the conference, San Miguel vowed not to lose again the rest of the elimination round.
That's exactly what the Beermen did.
SMB ended the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup elimination round on a nine-game winning streak as it blasted Meralco, 113-104, Friday, Dec. 19.
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“That two losses triggered us to work harder because we could not afford to lose another game after that,” said Leo Austria after the match at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate.
“One win, one loss, it could change, it could affect the standings. Imagine, kung natalo kami last two games, we could be at No. 3 or 4 or 5. We can never know what will happen.”
What’s certain now is that San Miguel enjoys the top seeding, armed with one of the four twice-to-beat incentives come the quarterfinals.
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Halting the streaking Cansino, Bolts
Austria had the trio of June Mar Fajardo, Cjay Perez and Don Trollano to thank for the convincing win against the Bolts that capped the Beermen's red-hot run.
Fajardo punished Meralco with 24 points, 15 rebounds, four assists and three blocks.
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Perez also fired 24 markers to go with four boards and four dimes, while Trollano added 21 points, three rebounds and an assist for SMB, which was in control the entire way and even led by as many as 18 points, 76-58.
“Kailangan namin ang panalo na ‘to para maganda ang pagpasok namin sa playoffs, maganda ang mababaon namin doon,” said Fajardo.
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Meanwhile, CJ Cansino led Meralco in scoring for the fourth consecutive time with 21 points, but could not bring his team to victory.
Cansino was named Best Player of the Game in the Bolts three-game run entering the match.
Bong Quinto, Raymond Almazan and Jeff Comia chimed in 11 points apiece.
At 6-5, the Bolts are already out of contention for a twice-to-beat edge.
San Miguel vs. Meralco Scores:
San Miguel 113 – Fajardo 24, Perez 24, Trollano 21, Cruz 11, Teng 7, Tiongson 6, Tautuaa 4, Ross 4, Brondial 4, Lassiter 4, Cahilig 2, Mantua 2, Rosales 0
Meralco 104 – Cansino 21, Quinto 11, Almazan 11, Comia 11, Bates 10, Newsome 9, Black 7, Banchero 7, Reyson 6, Hodge 6, Rios 3, Pascual 2, Maliksi 0
Quarterscores: 29-25, 49-41, 83-67, 113-104
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.