Cameron Clark and CJ Perez came through with crucial baskets down the stretch as San Miguel Beer fended off Meralco to eke out a 94-86 victory in the 2023 PBA Governors' Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Thursday, Feb. 9.

Known as a very potent offensive team with a 110-point average in their first four wins, the Beermen proved they can also come out on top in a grind out defensive duel to seize the solo lead with an immaculate 5-0 record.

Clark and Perez found some chinks to the Bolts’ tough defensive stand which they took turns to exploit on especially during the end game when they connived on a 5-0 spurt that added the final nail in the coffin.

Clark finished with game-high 28 points – none bigger than the pull up jumper he nailed that gave the Beermen a six-point cushion, 87-81, before Perez completed an and-1 play in transition to put on the finishing touches and also wound up with 19 points.

Clark also hauled 12 rebounds and dished out five assists while June Mar Fajardo finished with a double-double of 11 points and 16 rebounds despite struggling offensively.

SMB head coach Jorge Gallent credited his stalwarts with their unscathed record.

“It’s just all of the players... The players just want to play hard and play together, offensively and defensively. This 5-0 the credit goes all to the players. They are really doing a good job learning and listening to the defensive and offensive schemes of the team,” said Gallent.

SMB actually built on a 13-point lead in the first half and was practically in full control of the ball game since then.

Meralco briefly showed some semblance of fight in the third quarter where it tied the game at 53-all, but it proved to be its last stand after KJ McDaniel picked up his fourth foul, allowing the Beermen to regain their footing and unleashed a 7-0 counter attack to regain the upperhand.

McDaniels and Chris Newsome paced the Bolts with 18 points apiece while Allein Maliksi added 16 points – all of which went down the drain as Meralco slipped to 3-2.