Manuel Vic Manuel of San Miguel Beer powers his way for a basket against NorthPort. PBA photo

San Miguel sinks NorthPort

October 27, 2022 Robert Andaya 398 views

ANTIPOLO City — San Miguel Beer spoiled the much-awaited debut of rookie Will Navarro to roll back NorthPort, 104-86, in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Ynares Center.

Devon Scott fired 13 of his 25 points in the first period and four other Beermen scored in double figures to move up to .500 with their second straight win and 3-3 overall.

CJ Perez added 15 points, Simon Enciso and Jericho Cruzcontributed 14 points each and Robbue Herndon had 11 for San Miguel, which also missed the services of Marcio Lassiter and Chris Ross.

Lassiter, who powered San Miguel to a 124-116 victory over NLEX last Sunday, is out due to health and safety protocols.

Ross was also absent due to a swollen knee., adding to the woes of San Miguel already playing without MVP awardee June Mar Fajardo and Terrence Romeo.

“This game is so important for us and this win is so important because everybody’s fighting out for the Top Four. We’re fighting for our playoff bid, and we can’t afford to lose to NorthPort,” San Miguel coach Leo Austria told sportswriters.

.“Isang talo ang laki ng bagsak mo at isang panalo malaki rin ang igagalaw mo sa standings,” he added.

Austria mentioned the strong game of Herndon who went 5-of-10 from the field in 30 minutes while starting at small forward position.

Import Prince Ibeh had a double double of 16 points and 16 rebounds for the Batang Pier, who suffered their second straight setback for 3-4 overall.

Navarro finished with 14 points on 6-of-14 shooting, including 2-of-6 from the rainbow area, in nearly 25 minutes of action.

Navarro, who earlier planned to play in the Korean Basketball League but decided to stay to honor his commitment to NorthPort and Gilas Pilipinas, also had two rebounds, one asssist and one steal.

Robert Bolick struggled with 10 points on 4-of-13 shooting. The former San Beda hotshow was also limited to 15 points on 5-of-12 shooting in NorthPort’s 91-109 setback to Magnolia Chicken Timplados last Oct.16 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The scores:

San Miguel (104) — Scott 25, Perez 15, Enciso 14, Cruz 14, Herndon 11, Tautuaa 9, Manuel 6, Zamar 6, Brondial 2, Canete 2, Faundo 0.
NorthPort (86)– Ibeh 16, Navarro 14, Bolick 10, Balanza 8, Ayaay 8, Tolentino 6, Ferrer 6, Chan 5, Salado 5, Santos 3, Caperal 3, Calma 2, Taha 0, Vigil 0.
Quarterscores: 26-16, 47-32, 78-61, 104-86.

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