The San Miguel Beermen flexed their muscles and showed the lowly Blackwater Elite why they’re a title contender, overcoming a slow start en route to a 124-113 victory in the Oppo PBA Commissioner’s Cup Wednesday at Cuneta Astrodome.
San Miguel (8-2), one of the teams vying for a twice-to-beat, fell behind to a 0-10 start against the cellar-dweller Blackwater (2-9) and even trailed by 16 points.
But the Beermen displayed their might in the fourth quarter to run away with the triumph.
Charles Rhodes finished with 32 points and nine rebounds to pace San Miguel which also got 28 points and seven rebounds from June Mar Fajardo.
Marcio Lassiter also collected eight steals to go along with his 21 markers while Chris Ross added a double-double of 14 points and 13 assists.
Arwind Santos (13 points, eight boards) and Gabby Espinas (10 points, four rebounds, four assists) also contributed for the Beermen who are fighting for a top two spot against rivals Star (8-2) and Ginebra (8-2).
After the Elite shocked the Beermen with a 10-0 start and established a 72-56 halftime lead, San Miguel woke up and dropped an 18-2 bomb to tie the game at 74-all.
Blackwater withstood San Miguel in the third quarter and took a 96-90 edge entering the final frame but the Beermen unleashed their juggernaut offense in the fourth period.
San Miguel doubled Blackwater’s output in the last 12 minutes of play, 34-17, with the Beermen pulling away late and Rhodes providing highlight-reel dunks that served as a perfect cap-off to their victory.
Greg Smith scored 21 points and 22 boards to lead the Elite who failed to make the playoffs for the second straight conference.
