SMB finally gets win in Comm Cup, repulses Phoenix on 2nd half run

The Beermen finally barged to the win column on Wednesday night, defeating the Phoenix Fuel Masters, 106-94, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. (Photo: San Miguel Beermen/Facebook)

MANILA — San Miguel Beermen’s surprising early woes in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup is over.

The Beermen finally barged to the win column on Wednesday night, defeating the Phoenix Fuel Masters, 106-94, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

SMB came alive in the second half, outscoring Phoenix, 69-45, as the defending champion snapped a 0-3 start, leaving Blackwater, which lost to NLEX earlier Wednesday, as the remaining winless team in the conference.

Renaldo Balkman led the Beermen with 35 points, 17 rebounds, four assists, four blocks, and two steals, while Chris Standhardinger came off the bench to add 18 markers and seven boards.

Eugene Phelps came close to a triple-double, making 33 points, 17 rebounds, and eight assists alongside two steals and two blocks, but the effort fell short for the Fuel Masters.