Games today:
(Ynares Center)
4:30 p.m. — NLEX vs Phoenix
6:45 p.m. — Meralco vs Blackwater
San Miguel Beer wasted no time climbing into a share of second spot following an easy victory over Terrafirma, 122-102, in the Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup yesterday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Allyn Bulanadi played yet another solid game while import Cameron Clark proved that he remains a valuable asset as the Beermen coasted to their third straight victory to forge a tie at the second spot with idle NLEX behind leader Converge.
Picked up by the Beermen in a multiple player transaction that sent Jerrick Balanza to Converge and Paul Zamar and a future pick to NorthPort, Bulanadi immediately found a home that would welcome his highly-potential skill set.
The lefty gunner ended up with 14 points to emerge with a double-digit production for the second time in three games.
“He’s a great shooter. He knows when to spot up and he’s a good complement to June Mar (Fajardo). June Mar makes everybody look good,” San Miguel coach Jorge Gallent told Daily Tribune in an interview.
“June Mar likes to find open people, that’s why Allein makes good shots.”
In his debut game for San Miguel, Bulanadi immediately proved himself to be a great fit as he unloaded 16 markers.
Four other players also wound up in double figures for San Miguel led by Clark, who poured in 31 points, 14 rebounds and four assists to go along with three blocks and a steal.
CJ Perez had a double-double performance of 20 points and 11 rebounds on top of six assists, Mo Tautuaa contributed 17 markers and eight boards and Marcio Lassiter chipped in nine for the Beermen.
Fajardo, the six-time Most Valuable Player, concentrated on his role as facilitator, dishing out six assists while pulling down nine boards and scoring six.
Meanwhile, Blackwater continues to play with an ailing Shawn Glover when it takes on Meralco in the main game of the scheduled double header at the same Antipolo venue.
Glover has been playing with a nagging bruised left heel and head coach Ariel Vanguardia cited it as the reason for his inconsistent performance.
The PBA Commissioner’s Office confirmed to Daily Tribune that there’s no request for an import change as of 12 noon of Friday.
Blackwater has tapped National Basketball Association veteran Troy Williams as a standby import, but Vanguardia confirmed that he will not see action for the team yet.
This means the Bossing are going to play Glover when they battle K.J. McDaniels and the rest of the Bolts in the main game at 6:45 p.m.
But Blackwater will welcome the return of veteran forward Troy Rosario with team manager Johnson Martines confirming that they have already reactivated the long-time Gilas player.
Rosario missed most of the Bossing’s campaign last conference due to a plantar fasciitis injury.
Streaking NLEX, on the other hand, takes on Phoenix Super LPG in the first game at 4:30 p.m., a match that will serve as the final game of reinforcement Jonathon Simmons.
Simmons will be seeing action in the final game as a Road Warrior this conference as he is rejoining the Shanxi Loongs, his team in the Chinese Basketball Association.
The Scores:
SAN MIGUEL (122) — Clark 31, Perez 20, Tautuaa 17, Bulanadi 14, Lassiter 12, Cruz 9, Fajardo 6, Ross 6, Brondial 4, Enciso 3, Canete 0.
TERRAFIRMA (102) – J. Williams 30, Tiongson 20, Camson 18, Cabagnot 10, Calvo 7, Gabayni 6, Ramos 4, Ferrer 3, Daquioag 2, Gomez de Liano 2, Mina 0, Cahilig 0, Alolino 0.
QUARTERS: 19-21, 57-44, 88-78, 122-102.