SMB overpowers NorthPort

San Miguel Beer posted its first back-to-back victories in the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner's Cup, dumping NorthPort, 104-86, on 26 October at the Ynares Center, Antipolo City.

Despite missing the services of six-time Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo and dead-shot gunner Marcio Lassiter, the Beermen's firepower proved too much for the Batang Pier to handle.

San Miguel improved its win-loss record to 3-3 to share seventh to eighth places with NLEX, which also holds the same record.

NorthPort absorbed its second straight loss and fell to ninth place at 3-4.

Fajardo, SMB's 6-foot-10 main man, is still recovering from throat surgery and was in the sidelines with Lassiter, the 6-foot-3 swing man who was placed under health and safety protocols.

In their absence, import Devon Scott worked double time on both ends of the court, but got plenty of help from CJ Perez and guards Simon Enciso and Jericho Cruz.

Scott finished with 25 points, 16 rebounds and six assists while Perez contributed 15 points, six rebounds and three assists.

Enciso and Cruz each tallied 11 markers while Rob Herndon produced 11 for the Beermen, which led by as many as 25 points at one stretch, 66-41.

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

Quarters: 26-16, 47-32, 78-61, 104-86