By Michael Angelo S. Murillo, Senior Reporter
THE San Miguel Beermen raced to their third straight win in the PBA Philippine Cup after routing the Blackwater Bossing, 99-80, in league action on Wednesday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
The Beermen used a strong push in the third quarter to separate themselves from the Bossing and were never threatened from there to notch their third victory in four matches in the season-opening Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) tournament.
June Mar S. Fajardo paced San Miguel in the win, finishing with a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds.
The contest was tight up to the halfway point, with the Beermen holding a narrow one-point lead, 39-38, at the break.
In the third quarter, they picked up the pace, outscoring the Bossing, 15-4, in the first six minutes to hold a 54-42 advantage.
They continued to hold sway the rest of the period, extending their lead to 16 points, 69-53, heading into the final quarter.
In the fourth, San Miguel added further to their lead, stretching it to as much as 25 points, 82-57, by the 7:37 mark.
Blackwater managed to trim its deficit after, but not enough to post a serious threat.
CJ Perez added 14 points in the Beermen’s win, with Marcio E. Lassiter finishing with 13 points and Alex Cabagnot 12.
Arwind A. Santos had a double-double of 10 points and 12 rebounds.
For Blackwater, which remained winless in four games, it was Simon Enciso who led with 25 points. Kelly B. Nabong and Mike S. Tolomia each had 12 points.