AT full throttle in their conference debut, June Mar Fajardo and his teammates scored a resounding triumph as a welcome gift to debuting San Miguel coach Jorge Gallent.
The Beermen worked on a giant 42-point job just in the opening quarter and, though slowing down a bit in the second half, completed a wire-to-wire drubbing of the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters, 114-93, in the PBA Governors Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo Sunday.
For Gallent, a lead as big as 33 being trimmed down to 10 at one point was just a reminder of a need to play 48 minutes.
"We just can't relax. When you relax, you give the other team a chance to come back. It's just whether you are a starter or off-the-bench, you have to give energy when you're on the floor," said Gallent, victorious in his first game as a replacement to Leo Austria.
Playing full of energy in 32 minutes of action was Simon Enciso, collecting 14 points with four three-pointers plus nine assists and two steals.
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"I'm trying to take it from last conference. All the flaws, the ups and downs, I'm trying to use it as a motivation," said Enciso.
And the team put up a lot of firepower with Cameron Clark tossing in 23 points, June Mar Fajardo scoring 19 markers on top of 13 rebounds, CJ Perez logging 18 markers, seven assists and five boards, and new recruit Allyn Bulanadi debuting in an SMB jersey with 16 points built on 3-of-7 shooting from deep.
Marcio Lassiter also had three triples and was the sixth Beerman to finish in double figures.
Firing on all cylinders, the Beermen roared to a 66-37 spread at the half.
They held a 33-point lead at one point but needed to put out the fire the Fuel Master ignited in the fourth before wrapping it up.
SMB extended Phoenix' winless woes to a third consecutive game under interim mentor Jamike Jarin.
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Du'vaughn Maxwell rifled in 21 points to lead the scorers for the Fuel Masters who were without Javee Mocon. (SB)
