San Miguel holds off Phoenix Super LPG, strengthens playoff bid

The San Miguel Beermen solidified their playoff contention in the 2021 PBA Governors' Cup after staving off the Phoenix Super LPG, 104-99, on Wednesday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

Import Orlando Johnson made his presence felt in his third game with SMB, notching 23 points, including five of their last six points to end the third quarter leading by eight, 79-71.

Johnson, who is reportedly set to be replaced by another reinforcement in Shabazz Muhammad, added nine rebounds, five assists, two blocks, and a steal to his impressive statline.

Veteran big man June Mar Fajardo brought them up by 12, their biggest lead in the game, after completing a three-point play opportunity, 97-85, with 3:18 left in the payoff period.

But the Fuel Masters capitalized on San Miguel's back-to-back turnovers as Justin Chua and RJ Jazul shot a triple each to cut their deficit to 97-91.

Matthew Wright hit three straight points to bring Phoenix to within five, 94-99, but his two misses at the charity stripe further dampened their chances of winning as SMB completed the victory.

Fajardo, who was surprisingly not part of the team's starting five, finished with a double-double of 13 points and 15 rebounds as they improved to 5-3.

Vic Manuel, whose scoring prowess proved effective in the second half, chipped in 22 markers and nine boards while Marcio Lassiter carved out 18 points.

Phoenix, however, will absorb its second loss in a row for a 4-4 card. 

The scores:

San Miguel - Johnson 23, Manuel 22, Lassiter 18, Fajardo 13, Perez 9, Romeo 7, Ross 7, Tautuaa 3, Enciso 2, Brondial 0.

Phoenix Super LPG - Wright 24, Perkins 20,  Sutton 20, Jazul 9, Chua 8, Garcia 6, Pascual 4, Manganti 2, Demusis 2, Rios 0, Robles 0.

Quarters: 25-30, 49-47, 79-71, 104-99.

— VBL, GMA News