Phoenix ends years-long skid vs San Miguel as defending champs keep winless

ANTIPOLO, Philippines – Phoenix despatched defending champion San Miguel crashing to its worst two-game begin in 4 years, scoring a gritty 109-103 win within the PBA Philippine Cup on the Ynares Middle right here on Sunday, October 12.

Ricci Rivero scattered half of his 16 factors within the fourth quarter and added 7 rebounds and three assists because the Gasoline Masters ended a 10-game skid in opposition to the Beermen, with their final win over San Miguel coming within the 2020 version of the All-Filipino event held inside a bubble in Clark, Pampanga.

The sport additionally marked the primary head teaching win of former PBA veteran Willy Wilson, who has been tasked to show across the fortunes of a group that completed final season with an 8-25 document.

“It’s very important even with out speaking in regards to the 10-game dropping streak. It’s simply understanding that we have now the flexibility to beat a champion group like SMB,” mentioned Wilson.

“You sort of get into that rut of, ‘What unhealthy factor goes to occur subsequent?’ So actually for the gamers to really know that this group is succesful, that’s large.”

Phoenix loved a lead as large as 16 factors when it mounted a 100-84 cushion halfway via the fourth quarter earlier than San Miguel clawed its means again into the sport, using on a 17-5 run capped by a Don Trollano layup to get inside 101-105 with beneath two minutes to play.

However the Gasoline Masters survived as Rivero and Evan Nelle canned their free throws down the stretch.

Tyler Tio chimed in 14 factors, Kai Ballungay additionally tallied 14 factors to go together with 8 rebounds, whereas Jason Perkins provided 13 factors and 5 rebounds as Phoenix improved to 1-1.

Nelle recorded a close to double-double with 9 factors and 10 assists.

The Beermen are in uncharted territory as they endured their first-ever 0-2 begin within the Philippine Cup within the period of reigning nine-time league MVP June Mar Fajardo, whose regular efficiency of 19 factors, 22 rebounds, and 4 assists went down the drain.

In line with PBA chief statistician Fidel Mangonon, San Miguel misplaced its first two video games of the convention for the primary time for the reason that 2021 Governors’ Cup.

Don Trollano backstopped Fajardo with 18 factors off the bench, whereas CJ Perez added 17 factors, 4 rebounds, and a couple of steals.

Earlier, Terrafirma additionally halted a protracted dropping streak because it received for the primary time in six months following its 97-91 upset of NLEX, which dealt the Beermen their first lack of the season on the identical venue final Wednesday, October 8.

Rookie JM Bravo stood out with group highs of 18 factors and eight rebounds to steer the Dyip again to the profitable monitor after 11 consecutive losses relationship again to final season.

The Highway Warriors remained with out star guard Robert Bolick, whose father died lately.

The Scores

First sport

Terrafirma 97 – Bravo 18, Ahanmisi 14, Hernandez 13, Hanapi 13, Sangalang 11, Paraiso 6, Nonoy 6, Olivario 5, Rivero 4, Zaldivar 3, Garcia 2, Catapusan 2.

NLEX 91 – Bahio 14, Torres 14, Ramirez 13, Policarpio 13, Semerad 12, Alas 7, Valdez 6, Amer 5, Nieto 3, Herndon 3, Marcelo 1, Rodger 0.

Quarters: 24-24, 46-41, 74-62, 97-91.

Second sport

Phoenix 109 – Rivero 16, Tio 14, Ballungay 14, Perkins 13, Nelle 10, Caperal 9, Daves 7, Kwekuteye 6, Taha 6, Santos 5, Escandor 3, Jazl 2, Ando 0.

San Miguel 103 – Fajardo 19, Cruz 15, Perez 17, Trollano 16, Lassiter 9, Rosales 9, Brondial 6, Tautuaa 5, Tiongson 5, Miller 0, Cahilig 0.

Quarters: 27-23, 61-51, 82-74, 109-103.

– Rappler.com