Games Today (Smart Araneta Coliseum)
8 p.m. – San Mig Super Coffee vs Barako Bull
Games Tomorrow (Smart Araneta Coliseum)
5:45 p.m. – Rain or Shine vs Meralco
8 p.m. – Air21 vs Barangay Ginebra
Manila, Philippines – San Miguel Beer extended its winning streak to three games with a 109-92 victory over Globalport in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Import Kevin Jones finished with 30 points and 30 rebounds, while reigning MVP Arwind Santos collected 18 points and 10 boards as the Beermen improved their record to 5-1 while keeping the Batang Pier winless after six games.
The Beermen took a 16-point lead following a basket by Doug Kramer, 80-64, with less than nine minutes left in the fourth quarter, but the Batang Pier battled back behind import Evan Brock, Jay Washington and rookie RR Garcia, whose three-pointer trimmed the deficit to 91-84.
However, San Miguel answered with 11-2 run behind Santos, veteran Chris Ross and Marcio Lassiter for a 101-86 advantage with three minutes left in the game.
“There’s no way we’re near 100 percent. We still have guys who are hurt, but we’re proud of the guys who are fighting through it,” said SMB consultant Todd Purves after his team shot 42-of-83 from the field (50.6%) while holding Globalport to 34-of-83 (41%).
Brock finished with 20 points and 16 rebounds for Globalport in a losing effort.
Jay Washington led the Batang Pier with 22 points, Garcia had 17, while former SMB player Alex Cabagnot, who was traded for Sol Mercado last month, was held to just seven points.
Meanwhile, San Mig Super Coffee tries to add Barako Bull to its list of victims when they clash today at the Big Dome.
The lone game between the Mixers and the Energy Cola is scheduled at 8 p.m. with San Mig determined to extend its winning streak to four games that should boost their playoff bid in the shortened tournament.
The Mixers are coming off a masterful 91-74 victory over Rain or Shine in a rematch of their Philippine Cup finals series last month.
The blowout win that was engineered by import James Mays who collected 18 points and 15 boards will certainly inspire the Mixers to go for win No. 4.
Through three games, the NBA D-League veteran has averaged 20.6 points and 16.6 rebounds.
But Mays will have his hands full against the prolific Joshua Dollard.
While San Mig continues its rampage, Barako’s performance has dipped significantly, losing its last three games. (Waylon Galvez)