PBA: San Miguel takes down depleted Phoenix ahead of playoffs

San Miguel pulled away in the fourth quarter, completing a 116-104 win over an undermanned Phoenix to carry a huge momentum into the PBA Season 50 Commissioner's Cup playoffs on Saturday at the Ynares Center Antipolo.

Bennie Boatwright took the scoring cudgels with 34 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and one steal as the Beermen captured their third win in a row for a 7-5 card while the Fuel Masters dropped to 6-6.

Jericho Cruz, Don Trollano, and CJ Perez led the local support with 20, 14 and 12 markers each as June Mar Fajardo was limited to just seven points but hauled 16 boards.

The Fuel Masters, missing Ricci Rivero and Jason Perkins, leaned on Johnathan Williams III as the import dropped 26 points, 13 rebounds, and four assists while Ken Tuffin and Bryan Santos chipped in 18 and 17 markers each.

Phoenix did everything in the first three quarters to keep the game tight against the powerhouse San Miguel with Will Gozum, JC Cullar, and Tony Ynot showing their Benilde connection to spark their third quarter comeback, allowing the Fuel Masters to trail by only three, 82-85.

A Santos corner triple to open the fourth period then forced an 87-all deadlock.

However, the Beermen suddenly went on a rampage, unleashing a pivotal 13-3 blast highlighted by a three-pointer and a four-point play from Marcio Lassiter as San Miguel raced to a comfortable 100-90 lead.

Kris Rosales also provided some quality minutes after sinking a jumper and completing two free throws to stretch their lead to 12, 106-94, with still six minutes to play.

Scores:

San Miguel 116 – Boatwright 34, Cruz 20, Trollano 14, Perez 12, Lassiter 9, Miller 9, Fajardo 7, Rosales 6, Brondial 3, Tautuaa 2, Tiongson 0, Ross 0, Calma 0, Mantua 0.

Phoenix 104 – Williams 26, Tuffin 18, Santos 17, Ynot 11, Tio 10, Nelle 6, Daves 6, Gozum 4, Cullar 2, Ando 2, Delos Santos 2.

Quarters: 22-30, 56-51, 85-82, 116-104.

—JKC, GMA News