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SERVICES
THE INQUIRER COMPANY
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04
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23
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2024
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SERVICES
THE INQUIRER COMPANY
04
23
2024
Though in mourning, the San Miguel Beermen finally got their game going and broke into the win-column in the PBA Governors’ Cup with a 104-91 drubbing of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Tuesday night.
Playing in honor of the late SMC top official Henry Cojuangco, the Beermen nailed a first win since missing the Commissioner’s Cup playoffs, thus, avoiding further slump in the season-ending tourney.
AZ Reid broke out of a personal slump and led a third quarter breakaway that carried the Beermen to a first triumph after back-to-back losses to the Kia Carnival and the Meralco Bolts.
Before the game, the league offered a moment of silence for Cojuangco who passed away Tuesday morning due to aneurism. The Beermen played the game with a black patch on their jerseys.
Cojuangco was a loss to the whole league, including Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao who’s a colleague of the departed Tarlac lawmaker in Congress.
Fully recovered from a stomach infection that slowed him down in their first two games, Reid came through with 36 points, 11 rebounds and six assists to lead the Beermen over his former team.
Reid struggled with 6-of-11 free throws but worse was Rain or Shine import Wendell McKines, who went 3-of-10 from the stripe.
June Mar Fajardo had his own huge game with 22 points and 18 rebounds as the Beermen made it five in a row over the E-Painters in their head-on duels.
The E-Painters have never beaten the Beermen in the last five conferences.
From a mere one-point lead at the half, the Beermen broke away, 75-58, in the third period and never looked back.
Alex Cabagnot drained a trey as San Miguel snatched back the lead at the half, 43-42, after throwing away an early 10-point spread, 25-15.
The Elasto Painters closed in 20-25, at the end of the opening quarter and surged ahead, 29-27, on baskets by Raymond Almazan, Jerico Cruz, Paul Lee and Gabe Norwood at the onset of the second quarter.
San Miguel struck harder at the paint while Rain or Shine cashed in heavily from afar in the first 24 minutes of play.
The E-Painters converted seven of 17 three-point attempts to make up for their 10-18 deficit on points inside the shaded lane in the first half.
The Beermen, however, simply dominated the final half. (SB)
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