Second win in a row for SMB after blasting Phoenix

“Final: 128 – 108 in favor of the San Miguel Beermen! Best Player: June Mar Fajardo with 22 points and 14 rebounds #PBACommsCup #PBALabanKungLaban” (Photo: PBA/Facebook)

Team adjustments have proved to be evident and working for the San Miguel Beermen, obtaining their first winning streak of the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup season after triumphing over the Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters by 20 points last Wednesday, July 10 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The score finished at 128-108, with new import Chris McCollough, who recently replaced Charles Rhodes, totalled 37 points and 13 rebounds. He already proved to be efficient for the Beermen the game prior when he debuted at 47 points. The former Brooklyn Nets power forward was aided by Cebuano big man June Mar Fajardo, who had a double-double of 22 points and 14 rebounds. Alex Cabagnot hit number seven in all-time career assists history totalling 3,228 throughout his 14 years in the pros. Cabagnot also chipped double digits with 16 markers, while Terrence Romeo and Christian Standhardinger added 13 and 10 respectively. 

Phoenix, on the other hand, was led by Richard Howell who had 15 points and 14 rebounds. Unfortunately for the Fuel Masters, Howell was unable to produce in the second half as he sat out due to injury. Rey Guevarra and Matthew Wright contributed 14 points individually, while RJ Jazul and Justin Chua had 12 each. 

San Miguel head coach Leo Austria had a big sigh of relief after the victory, exclaiming in Filipino, “Finally, we got back to back wins.” He revealed, “Going to the next game, it gives us a lot of confidence. They lift our morale. We really needed the win. I hope we can sustain.”

The Beermen’s standing improved with four wins and five losses, while Phoenix is tied with the Alaska Aces at eighth place with four wins and six losses.

San Miguel will attempt to further improve their bid into the playoffs next Saturday, July 13 against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters at Cagayan de Oro City, while Phoenix faces the NLEX Road Warriors the day before at the Cuneta Astrodome.