PBA: Bennie Boatwright shines in return as San Miguel ends skid vs NLEX

Bennie Boatwright is back, and he made sure everyone knew it. 

Boatwright made an immediate impact in his return, powering San Miguel to a 98-94 escape win against the erstwhile surging NLEX in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner's Cup on Sunday at the Ynares Center Antipolo. 

The tried-and-tested import erupted for 41 points, including a crucial dunk that broke a 94-all deadlock late in the fourth before CJ Perez finished it with a layup. Boatwright, who led the Beermen to the Season 48 Commissioner's Cup title two years ago, also grabbed 11 rebounds, two assists, and a steal as San Miguel snapped its two-game slide to improve to 4-4. 

That Perez layup allowed the veteran guard to officially join the league's 5,000-point club after finishing with 13 points and nine rebounds. Prior to the game, Perez only needed 12 points to reach the feat. 

"It's really a big adjustment on our part because before the start of the game, I'm really woried with Boatwright and June Mar (Fajardo) [kasi] under the weather sila. Kahapon, Bennie requested not to practice because of his cough and cold," SMB head coach Leo Austria said 

"But last night, he assured us that he can go to the game. Talagang makikita natin ang difference ni Boatwright and big impact siya sa team."

Boatwright didn't seem bothered by cough and cold after he unloaded two consecutive four-point shots that gave San Miguel a 64-54 lead in the third period. Juami Tiongson sank his own long bomb, giving the Beermen a 77-68 cushion before heading into the fourth quarter. 

However, NLEX, who was coming off four straight victories against Ginebra, Phoenix, Macau, and Meralco, mounted a fightback behind import Cady Lalanne, whose three-pointer forced an 89-all deadlock before he fired another triple over Fajardo to give NLEX a 94-92 cushion with 1:26 left. 

Boatwright and Perez then took turns punctuating it for San Miguel. 

The 6-foot-10 American reinforcement escaped Lalanne's defense on the baseline to complete a two-handed slam before Perez drove through the paint to sink the dagger layup. 

Lalanne finished with 35 points, 12 rebounds, and one block in the losing effort while Schonny Winston posted 20 markers, three dimes, and two boards. 

Scores:

San Miguel 98 – Boatwright 41, Lassiter 16, Perez 13, Cruz 11, Fajardo 10, Tiongson 5, Tautuaa 2, Cahilig 0, Rosales 0, Brondial 0, Ross 0.

NLEX 94 – Lalanne 35, Wiinston 20, Bolick 9, Gonzales 8, Semerad 6, Rodger 5, Bahio 4, Racal 3, Torres 3, Alas 1, Fajardo 0, Ramirez 0, Herndon 0.

Quarters: 25-35, 50-52, 77-68, 98-94.

—JKC, GMA News