San Miguel overcomes Magnolia to keep perfect record

The San Miguel Beermen kept their record clean as they overcame a late rally from the Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots, 100-98, on Sunday in the 2023 PBA Governors' Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Trailing by just nine with 1:21 left in the final frame, a triple by Mark Barroca at the 1:12 mark sparked a 7-0 run to cut their deficit to just two, 100-98, with 18 seconds left.

A foul by Paul Lee on CJ Perez gave the Beermen a chance to extend their lead but went empty. Jio Jalalon grabbed the ball but Paul Lee missed the three-point attempt which ended Magnolia's hopes to notch its first win in three games this conference.

SMB import Cameron Clark posted 19 points and 10 boards in the Beermen's fourth win, while Marcio Lassiter made 18 points. CJ Perez added 17 points while June Mar Fajardo also registered a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Jericho Cruz listed 13 points, while Simon Enciso had 12 points, nine assists, and five rebounds.

Lee had 19 points while Jalalon added 17 in the losing effort. Reinforcement Erik Mccree had 13 points, eight rebounds, and three assists.

San Miguel will hope to extend their winning streak as they take on the Meralco Bolts on Thursday, while Magnolia will try to barge into the win column when they face the Phoenix Fuelmasters on Friday.

The scores:

SMB 100 –  Clark 19, Lassiter 18, Perez 17, Fajardo 16, Cruz 13, Enciso 12, Brondial 3, Manuel 2, Bulanadi 0.

Magnolia 98 – Lee 19, Jalalon 17, Mccree 13, Barroca 13, Abueva 11, Escoto 9, Laput 9, Dela Rosa 4, Wong 3, Reavis 0, Corpuz 0.

Quarters: 26-29, 47-51, 79-70, 100-98.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News