SMB dismantles Mahindra
Philippine Cup champ San Miguel Beer came out firing and refused to hold back, spanking Mahindra and its returning coach Manny Pacquiao, 109-80, to notch a fourth win in a row in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome last night.
Jason Deutchman scored on a short stab to start the game then Charles Rhodes, Alex Cabagnot and Marcio Lassiter answered with a rapid-fire assault to break the game wide open early before the Beermen went on to pull off the second most lopsided win in the tourney thus far.
Rhodes easily collected 20 points and 18 rebounds, Cabagnot rifled in four triples and a personal season best of 26 points while Lassiter drained six treys and a total of 18 markers as the Beermen stayed perfect from their all-Filipino title run while dealing the Floodbuster a sixth loss against a lone win.
“It’ s in our mind that we can’ t take this team for granted. They always beat us( in games in importflavored tourneys ),” said San Miguel coach Leo Austria.
“Still, I was surprised how they played the game and how they beat Mahindra,” added Austria.
The Beermen thoroughly dominated the Floodbuster even on the reappearance of Pacquiao on the Mahindra bench and on limited action of reigning PBA three-time MVP June Mar Fajardo.
The Cebuano behemoth went 0-of-4 from the field and committed one turnover in nine minutes of action in the first half. He ended up with his first scoreless outing in four years as coach Leo Austria took the luxury of playing his reserves in the second half.
Nonetheless, the Beermen completely outclassed the Floodbuster, fashioning out their biggest rout since a 101-72 demolition of the Barangay Ginebra Kings in Game Four of their 2016 PBA Governors Cup semifinal showdown.
Fajardo enjoyed a welcome rest ahead of their expected tough showdowns against Rain or Shine then TNT KaTropa.
Cabagnot and Rhodes set the tone of the game early as they erupted for 16 and 11 points, respectively, just in the opening quarter.
Coming of fame re six-point game the last time out, Cabagnot sizzled with 7-of-10 clip just in the opening canto of this game. Rhodes, on the other hand, frolicked with a 5-of-6 shooting.
Ronald Tubid marked his return from a two-game suspension with two threepointers, with the first one pushing SMB’s lead to 22 at 4927 in the second quarter.
Then Lassiter took over in the third period, firing away four three-pointers to sustain their romp as the Beermen led by 27 at 86-59 going into the final canto. —