TERRAFIRMA coach Johnedel Cardel could only scratch and shake his head after gunner Juami Tiongson and forward Javi Gomez de Liaño muffed a two-and-one fastbreak attack just when they were trying to erase a 14-point deficit late against San Miguel Beer last night.
Two possessions earlier, Beermen import Bennie Boatwright punctuated a sterling effort with a three-pointer and was pulled out of the duel for good–to the delight of his coaches and teammates who gave him high fives and hugs at the bench.
The Beermen dismantled the Dyip 132-110 for their fourth straight win and boosted their bid for a Top 4 finish that will be rewarded with a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
It seemed the cage gods blessed SMB and Boatwright.
“First of all, glory to God, without him, we wouldn’t be here today. Let’s give all the credit to coach and my teammates, they were looking for me today,” Boatwright, who shot the lights out with a game-high 51 points he laced with 12 rebounds and three assists, said.
“I’m very excited. I’ve heard all the traditions. This team has had a lot of accolades over the past years and I’m excited to be part of it and make a run in the playoffs,” he added.
The charges of coach Jorge Gallent fashioned the runaway triumph on the heels of a 117-96 win over the Phoenix Fuel Masters last Christmas Day and rose to 7-3 while waiting for the looming comeback of reigning seven-time MVP June Mar Fajardo.
“June Mar is doing good. He’s recovering well and I think if the doctor gives him the go-signal I think he could play in our last game against Blackwater (on Friday),” Gallent said. “So, we will see what the doctor will say on June Mar’s status.
“Rodney (Brondial) will rest his foot and then June Mar comes in. That’s very good for our team, at least June Mar’s coming back.”
Four locals provided ample help for Boatwrigh,t led by Don Trollano who added 22 markers, seven boards, and four dimes, while Mo Tautuaa had 16 and seven.
CJ Perez and Terrence Romeo finished with 16 and 12 points, respectively, for SMB.
Terrafirma, which opened the tiff with an 8-0 lead, reeled to its seventh loss in a row, counting a 105-116 setback at the hands of Rain or Shine last Dec. 23 and dropped to 2-8.
The Beermen enjoyed a 67-60 lead at the halfway mark that ballooned to 103-91 heading into the payoff period.
SMB tasted its biggest lead on a Perez slam dunk, only 38 seconds to go, that pegged the final count.
