Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 20) – The San Miguel Beermen leaned on import Orlando Johnson and scorer CJ Perez in their 110-102 win over Barangay Ginebra in the PBA Governors’ Cup on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Johnson was active at both ends of the floor with 31 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists, while Perez unleashed his offensive prowess with 23 markers and five steals to help the Beermen improve their record to 4-3.
The Beermen relied on their two top scorers as they started to establish their lead in the second quarter to lead 48-46 in halftime.
San Miguel asserted its offensive dominance against the defending Governors’ Cup champions in the third canto for an 86-73 lead, getting help from reliable big man June Mar Fajardo and shooter Marcio Lassiter, who chipped in 13 points apiece.
The Gin Kings’ famous never-say-die spirit in the fourth quarter failed to materialize as their opponents locked them down on defense.
Ginebra import Justin Brownlee’s game-high 40 points were all for naught, as the rest of the team struggled to find their shooting rhythm against the Beermen’s relentless defense.
“We know this is a very important game for us. Everybody wants to win because we’re in the middle of the pack,” said San Miguel head coach Leo Austria.
Ginebra fell to a 3-4 record after the defeat.
The Scores:
SAN MIGUEL 110 – Orlando 31, Perez 23, Fajardo 13, Lassiter 13, Romeo 9, Manuel 8, Tautuaa 7, Ross 6, Brondial 0
BARANGAY GINEBRA 102 – Brownlee 40, J. Aguilar 14, Tolentino 14, Tenorio 13, Standhardinger 8, Thompson 7, Pinto 6
Quarterscores: 20-24, 48-46, 86-73, 110-102
