Import Bennie Boatwright unloaded 23 of his 51-point explosion in the first quarter before the rest of San Miguel Beer’s offensive arsenal picked up their game in a strong windup against Terrafirma, 132-110, in the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
It was Boatwright’s most prolific night since his high school days and his monster game was buoyed by the local support as San Miguel’s hurting players began to get their game back on.
Don Trollano, acquired just recently by San Miguel, found himself in a much better position to contend for a championship since last winning a crown eight years ago with Rain or Shine, by netting 11 of his 22 points in the second period.
San Miguel also drew firepower from reliable Mo Tautuaa and CJ Perez with 16 points apiece and Terrence Romeo with 12 after catching fire towards the end.
Romeo also dished out seven assists for the Beermen, who got 40 points from players coming off the bench.
A big part of Boatwright’s stats line was his three-point shooting as he hit seven of his 13 shots from beyond the arc.
“I was just staying in the zone, staying in the present and not looking at a particular number,” said Boatwright, who has played only in his second game and won both of them.
San Miguel won two of its last four straight games with Boatwright but more importantly, closed in on a potential top four berth that bears a twice-to-beat advantage in the playoffs.
With a 7-3 win-loss record, the Beermen can close out strong their elimination round campaign by extending their winning run in their final assignment against Blackwater on Friday.
As the competition begins to intensify, San Miguel is glad that those coming from injuries — seven-time Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo and the two recent prized acquisitions Jeron Teng and Kyt Jimenez — are beginning to find their groove.
Fajardo was in uniform but wasn’t fielded in as head coach Jorge Gallent is still awaiting the doctor’s go signal.
“June Mar is doing good and recovering well,” Gallent said.
“If the doctor can give him the go signal, I think he can play in our last game against Blackwater,” he added.
Teng, back in harness after being bothered by hamstring injury, played five minutes on Sunday while Jimenez was on the bench and still recovering from a fractured bone on his eye socket.
