SAN Miguel Beer may not have learned its lesson from its last game but still had plenty in stock in easily hurdling Blackwater, 105-86, Wednesday and go 2-0 in the PBA Governors Cup at the PhilSports Arena.
Much like in their opening 114-93 win over Phoenix Super LPG last Sunday, the Beermen almost blew a sizable lead but again showed uncanny poise when it mattered most to dispel the threat.
Holding on would simply not do for coach Jorge Gallent. "We just have to learn, we just have to play smarter," he said.
"In the first half we were running, we were running and then it suddenly stopped," added Gallent. "So we just got to learn, we're gonna watch films and see what's really happening there. That's what I always say, if we give the other team the chance to come back, they will take advantage of it."
Blackwater did put up a gallant fight, refusing to simply wilt after falling behind by as much as 33-63 late in the second period.
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Behind Shawn Glover, Yousef Taha, RK Ilagan and Tyrus Hill, the Bossing managed to outscore the Beermen, 33-20, in the third period and come within 13 points twice, the last at 72-85.
The toll of trying to wage a scoring duel with a more formidable team took its toll on Blackwater, however, with SMB even outscoring its foes, 20-14, in the last 11 minutes of play.
His Beermen holding the Bossing way below their tournament average of 105 points surely pleased Gallent. "They're defending well so that's why I think our offense is going up also, it's because of their defense," he said.
"In our motto we're just bringing in our defensive side to go with our offense."
After scoring only two points in the Phoenix game, Jericho Cruz bounced back big-time with 22 points in leading SMB's charge that also featured Cameron Clark notching 20 points and nine boards and June Mar Fajardo 17 and 16 for his second straight double-double.
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"Nu'ng first game medyo masama laro ko, eh. So ang ginawa ko na lang back to the drawing board and sabi ko sa sarili ko na second game namin babawi ako," related Cruz, who went 9-of-13 from the field, including 3-of-4 from deep.
Glover paced Blackwater with 16 points and 12 rebounds, but also committed seven turnovers. Josh Torralba added 11 points, Ilagan 10 and Taha eight points and 11 markers as the likes of Ato Ular, Jayvee Casio and Baser Amer struggled. (NC)
The Scores:
San Miguel 105 - Cruz 22, Clark 20, Fajardo 17, Perez 14, Lassiter 13, Enciso 9, Tautuaa 7, Ross 3, Bulanadi 0, Brondial 0.
Blackwater 86 - Glover 16, Torralba 11, Ilagan 10, Taha 8, Banal 8, Hill 8, Ular 6, Casio 6, Ayonayon 5, Amer 4, Suerte 2, Escoto 2, DiGregorio 0.
Quarters: 33-24, 63-35, 83-68, 105-86
