PBA: San Miguel secures top spot with win vs Meralco; Oftana powers TNT past Blackwater

San Miguel Beer secured the top spot in the PBA Philippine Cup after defeating Meralco, 113–104, on Friday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.

The Beermen finished the elimination round with a 9–2 record and will await the tournament’s eighth seed.

June Mar Fajardo posted 24 points, 15 rebounds, four assists, and three blocks, while CJ Perez also scored 24 points to lead San Miguel. Don Trollano added 21 points in the victory.

CJ Cansino led the Bolts with 21 points as Meralco slipped to a 6–5 record.

Earlier in the day, Calvin Oftana poured in a conference-high 25 points to power TNT past Blackwater, 113–96.

RR Pogoy added 18 points, while Henry Galinato Jr. and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser chipped in 14 and 12 points, respectively, as TNT improved to 7–3.

Troy Mallillin finished with 20 points to lead the Bossing in their final game of the conference.

Scores:

Game 1:

TNT 113 –Oftana 25, Pogoy 18, Galinato 14, Ganuelas-Rosser 12, Heading 11, Khobuntin 8, Aurin 8, Enciso 6, Jalalon 4, Ferrer 3, Nambatac 2, Hill 2, Williams 0, Nieto 0.

Blackwater 96 – Mallilin 20, Barefield 13, David 13, Una 12, Guinto 9, Dumont 9, Altamirano 8, Jopia 8, Mendoza 2, Zamar 2, Andrade 0.

Quarters: 35-25, 66-51, 92-67, 113-96.

Game 2:

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.

Quarters: 29-25, 49-41, 83-67, 113-104.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News