Matt Ganuelas-Rosser of San Miguel Beer draws a foul from Mark Tallo of NLEX during the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup game last night at the Calasiao Sports Center in Calasiao, Pangasinan. The Beermen prevailed, 125-114. FAJARDO DOMINATES

Reigning champion San Miguel inched closer to league leaders after posting a dominant 125-114 win over NLEX in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup Petron Saturday Special last night at the Calasiao Sports Center in Calasiao, Pangasinan.

Leading by a precarious 34-31 lead after the opening quarter, the Beermen ran away in the second period to build a comfortable 66-56 lead at the half and never look back.

With the win, the Beermen improved to a 5-4 win-loss card to boost their playoff chances with only a game left in the eliminations.

Four-time Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo imposed his will against the undermanned Road Warriors with 30 points and 12 rebounds while Marcio Lassiter chipped in 26 points and import Renaldo Balkman added 25 points and 16 rebounds.

Reinforcement Arnett Moultrie tallied 43 points and 14 rebounds for NLEX, which kissed its campaign goodbye with a 2-8 win-loss record.

Meanwhile, four teams jockey for playoff positions in a pair of crucial clashes today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Alaska faces Barangay Ginebra at 6:45 pm looking to tighten its hold of the second spot for a chance for a twice-to-beat incentive in the final play date before this mid-season conference takes a break to give way for Gilas Pilipinas’ campaign in the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers next week.

Prior to that, league-leader Rain or Shine aims to secure the top spot and one of the two playoff incentives against fellow hopeful Meralco in the first game at 4:30 pm.

Although the Aces’ chances at top two remains within reach, head coach Alex Compton reminded his wards to just treat their remaining elimination games as springboard for their upcoming playoff campaign.

“At this point, one of the benefits is you’re not worried about your life. Everything’s just for positioning,” said Compton.

“I hope we win but for me, it’s just the things we’re gonna clean up, the adjustments we’re gonna make and how sharp we can be (heading into the playoffs).”

Regardless of the result, Alaska is already assured of a place inside the best-of-three series, but a 74-89 loss to Meralco in its previous game would be an added motivation for it to shut down the eliminations on a winning note.

That loss ended the Aces’ seven-game winning spree and derailed their smooth cruise to the top.

Tasked to lead Alaska’s vengeance bid is breakout player Vic Manuel who tallied his eighth 20-point game in a losing cause against the Bolts.

The Gin Kings shoot for their fourth win in a row to boost their chance of clinching a spot inside the top eight.

Head coach Tim Cone would not be satisfied with only a seventh or eighth spot finish where they will be at a twice-to-win disadvantage.

Instead, he sets his sights on third to sixth place for a more decent best-of-three series.

“We’re still trying to battle for that top six and if we can win our last two games, we’re still there,” said Cone, the league’s winningest coach.