San Miguel seemed to have finally found its winning ways, dominating NorthPort from start to finish en route to a 104-86 victory in the 2022 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo on Wednesday, Oct.26.
New import Devon Scott led a strong first half for the Beermen who managed to string their first win streak of the season even without six-time MVP June Mar Fajardo and Marcio Lassiter who was under self and healthy protocol.
Scott dropped 13 of his 25 points in the first quarter when SMB seized the first double-digit spread of the game before the rest of the Beermen connived in a searing 13-4 rally in the second frame to build the biggest lead at 19.
Scott also collared 16 rebounds and dished out six assists while CJ Perez added 15 points. Jericho Cruz and Simon Enciso chipped in 14 points while Robbie Herndon who took the starting spot for Lassiter added 11 points.
The Batang Pier tried to make a run for themselves in the second half behind debuting Gilas mainstay Will Navarro and import Prince Ibeh but the Beermen simply had every answer to the NorthPort run.
Ibeh paced the Batang Pier with 16 points and 16 rebounds while Navarro added 14. Robert Bolick, meanwhile, continued to struggle with just 10 points on 4-of-13 clip from the field.