SMB TOO STRONG FOR CONVERGE

As expected because of deep bench and had many championships experience, undefeated league leading San Miguel Beer notched its seven straight crushed winless and already eliminated Converge. 112-103, and became the first team to enter the quarterfinals in the Philippine Cup as the PBA returns to Philsports Arena after seven days playing at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Even before the start of the game cage experts and matchmakers already gave the win to the Beermen and the grandslam seeking champion lived up to their billing manhandled the low morale and reaffirmed their mastery of coach Alden Ayo boys they clobbered, 105-96, in the last Commissioner’s Cup won by SMB.

SMB secured the win as early in the third quarter leading, 74-60, then exchanged baskets against Converge in the fourth period and handed the weak signal FiberXers their eight straight setbacks.

It is like the Beermen walked in tbe park on the way to an easy win to the delight of coach Jorge Gallent, who congratulated his players for a job well done and team manager Robert Non.

Coach Alden Ayo didn’t do anything and watched his players toyed by the Beermen for 48 minutes led by former Lyceum of the Philippine Universsity NCAA standout Jaymar Perez scored a team high 25 points, 10 rebounds and three assists in 33:19 minutes on the court.

“I’m happy the game ended in our favor as I expected. My players played solid both offensively and defensively,” said Gallent.

Marcio Lassiter made 19 points, 17 in the third quarter, including five triples and the 37 years old Filipino-American born in Fullerton, California was adjudged again best player of the game.

“My job is to help my team win. It’s pretty good I made it,” said Lassiter who turned 38 on May 16. SMB controlled almost all departments and grabbed 61 rebounds, 46 defensive, dished out 23 assists and made 22 of 31 free throws and 14 from the rainbow territory, five by Lassiter and four by Terrence Romeo.

Big men June Mar Fajardo and Moala Tautuaa joined hands with 23 rebounds and helped his teammates in scoring. Alec Stockton scored a game high 36 points. However, his effort was not enough to carry Converge to its first win to the dismay of coach Alden Ayo and their supporters.

Second running NLEX faces Phoenix at 3 pm at the Ynares Arena in Pasig and Magnolia square off Rain or Shine at 6:15 pm at Tiaong Convention Center in Quezon province Saturday.

SMB lead in the standings 6-0, NLEX 5-2, Magnolia 4-2, Ginebra 4-3, TNT 4-3, RoS 5-4, North Port 4-4, Terrafirma 4-5, Meralco 3-4, Blackwater 3-5, Phoenix 2-5, Converge 0-8.

PBA Image