San Miguel takes 2-0 edge in PBA Comm’s Cup finals
MANILA – San Miguel Beermen scored a dominant 109-85 victory over Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots in Game 2 of the 2023-2024 PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals last night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Bennie Boatwright Jr. led the way with a double-double of 34 points and 10 rebounds to go with five assists and a steal as the Beermen took a 2-0 edge in the best-of-seven title series.
Jaymar Perez added 20 markers, June Mar Fajardo had a double- double of 19 points and 14 rebounds, while Marcio Lassiter and Ilonggo Jericho Cruz had 11 and 10 markers, respectively, for the Beermen.
The Beermen caught fire from the outside in the opening quarter behind Boatwright, Lassiter and Cruz for a 31- 16 lead, but the Hotshots answered with nine straight points to cut the deficit to 25-31.
The Beermen opened t he second f rame with baskets from Boatwright and Celedonio Trollano for a 3925 edge. The Hotshots rallied to within 29- 39, but SMB pulled away anew at 54-41 at the half via conversions from Boatwright.
San Miguel Beer pulled away further in the second half with baskets from Fajardo, Boatwright and Perez for their largest lead of 28 points at 7244 on a three-point basket by Lassiter.
The Hot s h o t s s t i l l attempted to come close after cutting the deficit to 69- 86 early in the fourth quarter, but the Beermen responded with connections from Perez, Boatwright, and Fajardo to pull away for good.
“We just played as a team, played as a unit. Everybody works in the practice and everyone works inside the