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| CJ Perez led the way for the Beermen. PBA Images |
MANILA--San Miguel booked its place in the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals while putting Phoenix to an anxious wait on whether it will qualify too with a 110-80 blowout on Friday at the Don Honorio Ventura State University Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.
June Mar Fajardo wasted no time in imposing his will inside and scored the first five points of the game for SMB.
Phoenix kept the game close for the rest of the first quarter, but the period ended with SMB up, 24-21.
SMB began pulling away late in the second quarter after going on a 15-4 run to break a 40-all deadlock capped by eight unanswered points for a 55-44 lead.
Matthew Wright stopped the bleeding after making a three-pointer that cut the Fuel Masters' deficit to eight at halftime, 47-55.
SMB pulled away for good come the third quarter, outscoring Phoenix, 30-12, for an 85-59 cushion entering the fourth.
SMB gave no chance of letting Phoenix launch a huge comeback in the final frame as they stretched their lead to 37 points, 104-67, with 5:18 left before settling for the 30-point win.
CJ Perez led the way for the Beermen, who are now at 6-3, as he put up 24 points, five rebounds, and four assists.
They are a half-game behind the Magnolia Hotshots, who they will face on Sunday even as both teams still look to take the Meralco Bolts out of the second spot and steal a once-to-advance advantage in the next round.
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