PBA: SMB back in tie for first place after 26-point beatdown of GlobalPort

 

San Miguel Beer showed its might with a 95-69 demolition of GlobalPort on Tuesday at SMART-Araneta Coliseum.

 

The victory gave the Beermen a share of first place in the 2015 Philippine Cup with the Alaska Aces at 7-1. GlobalPort suffered its second straight defeat for a 4-5 record.

 

"Out of our eight games, this is the best win we had," said San Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria.

 

San Miguel turned the game into a laugher after opening the second period on a 24-6 run that gave the Beermen a 45-23 edge. They cruised the rest of the way, never being threatened seriously by the Batang Pier.

 

Arwind Santos led San Miguel with 19 points, while frontcourt partner June Mar Fajardo chipped in 17.

 

Austria said the Beermen are targeting one of the top two spots, which come with an automatic ticket to the semifinals of the tournament.

 

"I told the players we need to win three out of four games," said Austria. — JST, GMA News

 

The scores:

 

SAN MIGUEL 95 - Santos 19, Fajardo 17, Ross 12, Tubid 12, Lutz 10, Fortuna 10, Pascual 8, Mercado 3, Maierhofer 2, Kramer 2, Lassiter 0, Omolon 0, Semerad 0, Chua 0.

 

GLOBALPORT 69 - Isip 12, Pringle 11, Jensen 11, Cabagnot 10, Romeo 7, Baclao 6, De Ocampo 6, Pinto 2, Caperal 2, Buenafe 2, Semerad 0, Taha 0, Ponferada 0, Nabong 0.

 

Quarters: 21-17, 56-29, 77-52, 95-69