PBA: San Miguel slams door on Terrafirma to complete QF cast 

San Miguel was quick to shrug off a flat start to eke out a 126-110 victory over Terrafirma and complete the quarterfinal cast in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner's Cup on Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The Beermen fell behind early after a 10–1 start by the Dyip, but quickly turned things around behind Bennie Boatwright and June Mar Fajardo, punching their playoff ticket while eliminating Terrafirma from contention.

Boatwright, who attended a Senate hearing on his naturalization bid earlier today, took over and detonated 33 points laced with 10 rebounds and seven assists while Fajardo exploded for a conference-high 30 markers alongside 16 boards and four dimes.

San Miguel improved to 6–5, forcing a tight four-way tie with Phoenix, Magnolia, and TNT, while Terrafirma slipped to 4–7 with one game remaining against Meralco.

"Before this game, we told the team that this is a very important game and we cannot afford to lose this game against Terrafirma because they have a chance to make it to the top 8," San Miguel head coach Leo Austria said.

"Sense of urgency [ang] nag-take place. And then after a while, naka-recover kami and we were able to take a lead."

Young guns started it for Terrafirma with Geo Chiu, Brent Paraiso, and JM Bravo conniving to lead a 10-1 opening run, but the Beermen responded with a 22-6 run to close the opening frame ahead, 23-16.

Gilas Pilipinas candidate Boatwright then just presided over their second-quarter barrage after dropping 17 of his total output to help San Miguel create a 58-46 halftime cushion.

Jerrick Ahanmisi and Bravo as well as import Mubashar Ali continued to fight back for the Dyip, but the Beermen flexed their other weapons in CJ Perez and Don Trollano, with the latter completing a three-point play for a 92-76 lead late in the third.

Back-to-back Fajardo baskets made it a 100-85 edge for San Miguel while Perez stretched it to as big as 20 when he sent the Beermen to a 112-92 lead in the final five minutes.

Ali led the way for Terrafirma with 28 points, eight rebounds, and two assists while vastly-improved Ahanmisi led the local support with 24 markers, five assists, and three rebounds off the bench.

Scores:

San Miguel 126 – Boatwright 33, Fajardo 30, Cruz 17, Trollano 17, Perez 15, Tautuaa 4, Miller 4, Mantua 2, Calma 2, Ross 2, Lassiter 0, Tiongson 0, Rosales 0, Cahilig 0.

Terrafirma 110 – Ali 28, J.Ahanmisi 24, Bravo 14, Chiu 12, Hernandez 9, Paraiso 9, Eriobu 8, Paraiso 5, Hanapi 4, Umali 2, M.Ahanmisi 0, Zaldivar 0.

Quarters: 23-16, 58-46, 92-78, 126-110.

—JKC, GMA News