With payback in mind after losing a tough overtime game against Magnolia in its previous game, San Miguel Beer came out all locked up in dealing Barangay Ginebra a big spanking, 104-93, late Friday night, to get back on the winning track in the PBA Philippine Cup.
Head coach Leo Austria made it clear that winning over the Gin Kings was a must.
“In the third quarter, I reminded the players that we don’t have time to relax because this is a pivotal quarter,” said Austria. “We’ve had a bad experience, not just against Magnolia, but also in our last three games. We lost big leads because we had that tendency to relax.”
CJ Perez made sure he’ll bring out the energy on both ends of the court as he bounced back strong from a sub-par performance against Magnolia.
“Pinagusapan talaga namin na kailangang bumawi, but this was a team effort,” said Perez, who finished with 23 points on 8-of-14 shooting. “Credit na rin sa bench namin because they really contributed.”
The Beermen’s second unit completely outplayed their counterparts at the Gin Kings. San Miguel had 43 points from players coming off the bench, 16 more than Ginebra’s shock troopers.
Blackwater played probably its finest game of the season and it showed when it blasted NorthPort, 120-98, in the other game.
At least seven players produced nine points or more for the Bossing, led by rooke Sedrick Barefield, who pumped in 20 points, including five three-point shots.
Christian David added 19 points while RK Ilagan flirted with a double-double performance of 17 points and eight assists. Richard Escoto contributed 15, BJ Andrade produced 14, Troy Mallilin had 10 and Mike Ayonayon had nine for the Bossing, who hit a total of 15 three-point shots.
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