SMB leans on late blast to beat GlobalPort for 5-0 start

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MANILA — San Miguel once again broke away late to repulse GlobalPort, 107-93, in the nightcap of the PBA Philippine Cup games at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday.

The Beermen quickly bounced back from a slow start and zoomed past the Batang Pier, who actually led for most of the game, behind  a huge run down the stretch.

GlobalPort, behind the hot hands of Kelly Nabong and Stanley Pringle, raced to a 14-3 lead at the start of the game, but San Miguel, behind Marcio Lassiter’s hot hands, kept afloat and cut the lead to three, 25-22, at the end of the first quarter.

The game remained tight for most of the remainder until the Beermen unleashed an 18-0 run in the fourth quarter to pull away for good.

Junemar Fajardo, despite playing with an injured arm, dominated anew for SMB, which remained unbeaten at 5-0, with 34 points, 13 rebounds, three assists, and three blocks.

Brian Heruela had his best game as a Beerman with 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting with two boards, five dimes, and six steals.

Lassiter and Arwind Santos also finished with 17 markers each with the latter adding 10 caroms for a double-double, six assists, one steal, and one block. Santos’ lone rejection, however, turned out be a milestone-achieving moment as he becomes the 10th player to record 700 career blocks.

Matt Rosser, not known for his scoring, made 4-of-5 baskets to finish with 10 points alongside 12 rebounds, one assist, and four steals.

Pringle finished with 23 markers, six boards, two assists, and two steals for GlobalPort, but he committed seven turnovers.

Box Scores:

San Miguel 107-Fajardo 34, Heruela 17, Lassiter 17, Santos 17, Rosser 10, Ross 6, De Ocampo 4, Pessumal 2, Mamaril 0, Semerad 0, Vigil 0

GlobalPort 93-Pringle 23, Nabong 15, Anthony 15, Araña 11, Grey 9, Gabayni 6, Sargent 4, Guinto 4, Juico 3, Elorde 3, Taha 0, Flores 0.