PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial and San Miguel Corp. official Alfrancis Chua join PBA legends Jimmy Noblezada and Elmer Csmabahug and San Miguel Beer and Meralco players during the PBA 50th Anniversary game at the Rizal Coliseum. Photo by Ernie Sarmiento
San Miguel takes it
SAN Miguel Beer outclassed the Meralco Bolts, 110-98, in a special retro-themed PBA Philippine Cup game held at the historic Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Malate, Manila.
As Asia’s oldest professional league celebrated its 50th anniversary, both the Beermen and the Bolts donned their vintage jerseys, evoking memories of the league’s rich basketball history for the fans.
The Beermen took control, powering through the game in their 1980s-inspired white tops and red shorts, while the Bolts sported their classic orange jerseys from their 1970s MICAA days.
CJ Perez and June Mar Fajardo, who was recently named as one the PBA’s “50 Greatest Players”, combined for 57 points to lead the Beermen of coach Leo Austria to victory.
Perez finished with 29 points on 11-of-15 shooting from the field, five rebounds, four assists and two steals in 34 minutes of action.
Fajardo added a double-double performance of 28 points, 10 rebounds and four assists.
Jeron Teng contributed 11 points and three rebounds, Rodney Brondial added nine points, Marcio Lassiter had eight points and Juami Tiongson and Kris Rosales chipped in seven points each.
Chris Newsome was the top scorer for Meralco with 27 points.
Newsome, who went 8-of-13 from the floor, also had seven assists, four rebounds and two steals in 38 minutes for the Luigi Trillo-mentored Bolts, dropped to 2-1.
Kurt Reyson added 14 points while Aaron Black and Raymar Jose contributed 12 points each. Black also had seven rebounds and five assists while Jose had six rebounds.
Cliff Hodge chipped in 10 points and seven rebounds.
The PBA’s golden anniversary celebrations continue with a gala night at Solaire North on Friday.
The affair will be highlighted by the gathering of the league’s 50 greatest players.
The scores:
San Miguel (110) — Perez 29, Fajardo 28, Teng 11, Brondial 9, Lassiter 8, Tiongson 7, Rosales 7, Tautuaa 6, Trollano 5, Cahilig 0.
Meralco (98) — Newsome 27, Reyson 14, Black 12, Jose 12, Hodge 10, Cansino 8, Bates 6, Almazan 5, Quinto 4, Torres 0, Rios 0, Caram 0, Pascual 0.
Quarterscores: 25-21, 52-38, 77-74, 110-98.
Games Saturday:
(Ninoy Aquino Stadium)
5 p.m.– Northport vs. Terrafirma
7:30 p.m.– Rain or Shine vs. NLEX
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Quezon, Zamboanga, Pasay win
