PBA: San Miguel survives Blackwater scare, secures twice-to-beat bonus

San Miguel had to shrug off a strong resistance from a depleted Blackwater side before securing a 125-117 win, and most importantly, a twice-to-beat playoff incentive in the PBA Commissioner's Cup on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Beermen will head to the quarterfinals armed with the bonus and an 8-3 win-loss card while the Bossing failed to end its campaign on a high note as they slipped to their 10th straight loss to go 1-10. 

SMB import Bennie Boatwright dazzled anew, churning out 44 points built on 8-of-17 from downtown, on top of 12 rebounds and five assists while Terrence Romeo provided the spark off the bench with 14 markers, six dimes, and two boards. 

The returning June Mar Fajardo, who missed their last six games due to a left hand injury, tallied 11 points, nine rebounds, six assists, one steal, and one block. 

The Beermen looked solid early, leading by as much as 17 in the opening moments of the third period before heading to the fourth with a 98-86 cushion. 

Blackwater reinforcement Chris Ortiz then suddenly caught fire, igniting for four straight three-pointers to cut their deficit to just two, 107-105, with still a lot of time to play in the payoff period. San Miguel, though, retaliated with a 12-3 run led by Don Trollano to build a pivotal 119-108 lead. 

With 25 seconds to go, the Jeff Caraiso-mentored squad was still able to pull to within four, 119-115, after back-to-back baskets from Tyrus Hill. Jericho Cruz salvaged the game and single-handedly sealed the deal, sinking six free throws in a row down the stretch to put the finishing kick. 

San Miguel spoiled a 43-point outing from Ortiz who also poured in 15 rebounds, five assists, and two blocks. 

Scores:

San Migel 125 – Boatwright 44, Perez 15, Romeo 14, Cruz 12, Fajardo 11, Trollano 10, Tautuaa 8, Ross 6, Teng 5, Lassiter 0.

Blackwater 117 – Ortiz 43, Hill 14, Suerte 13, Amer 12, Kwukuteye 9, Sena 8, DiGregorio 7, Guinto 4, Ilagan 3, Concepcion 2, Jopia 2, Escoto 0.

Quarters: 27-25, 63-51, 98-86, 125-117.

—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News