Photo credit: PBA Media Bureau
The No. 2 seed San Miguel Beermen used a strong third quarter to beat the No. 7 Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 127-122 to advanced to the semifinals of the 2023-24 PBA Commissioner's Cup on Friday, January 19, 2024, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
After a deadlock at 67-67 at halftime, the Beermen unleashed a 42-22 run in the third quarter to lead 109-89. However, the Elasto Painters outscored the Beermen 33-18 in the final quarter and made a late rally, but it was not enough to secure a victory as SMB put a stop on Rain or Shine's 6-game winning streak. With this win, San Miguel Beermen secured a spot in the Final Four, joining Magnolia. SMB will face the Barangay Ginebra in best-of-5 semifinal series.
Bennie Boatwright Jr. led the Beermen with a double-double of 41 points (17/28FG, 5/12 3pts), 13 rebounds, 4 assists, and a block. Jericho Cruz had a solid game of 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting while June Mar Fajardo had his own double-double of 13 points, a game-high 13 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals and a block.
The Scores:
SAN MIGUEL 127 - Boatwright 41, Cruz 20, Romeo 15, Ross 14, Fajardo 13, Perez 11, Lassiter 6, Trollano 4, Tautuaa 3.
RAIN OR SHINE 122 – Treadwell 22, Nambatac 16, Nocum 14, Datu 14, Mamuyac 14, Caracut 12, Santillan 11, Clarito 10, Belga 7, Norwood 3.
Quarters: 36-32, 67-67, 109-89, 127-122. [GAME STATS] | [GAME HIGHLIGHTS] | [JORDAN]
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