SMB seals place in PBA PH Cup QFs with rout of NorthPort

CJ Perez continues his impressive PBA Philippine Cup with another 29-point output. PBA Images
By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—San Miguel formally booked a place in the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals after soundly beating NorthPort, 120-100, on Sunday night at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.

Two nights after erupting for 51 third-quarter points against the Converge FiberXers, the Beermen's explosive offense continued against the Batang Pier, already scoring 72 points by halftime and 105 at the end of the third quarter even as they opened a lead as high as 39 points before settling for the 20-point win.

CJ Perez led SMB, which moved up to 7-0, with 29 points, nine rebounds, six assists, and one steal, while Mo Tautuaa added 15 points, five rebounds, one assist, and one block off the bench.

Marcio Lassiter contributed 14 points on 4-of-5 shooting from long range, enough for him to overtake James Yap for fourth place in the PBA's all-time three-point shooting list.

Arvin Tolentino fired 26 points with nine rebounds, four assists, and one block for NorthPort, which fell to 4-5 with its fourth straight loss.

The Scores:

SAN MIGUEL 120 – Perez 29, Tautuaa 15, Lassiter 14, Trollano 13, Fajardo 12, Teng 10, Enciso 9, Brondial 8, Ross 6, Romeo 4, Mallilin 0

NORTHPORT 100 – Tolentino 26, Lucero 10, Bulanadi 10, Cuntapay 9, Zamar 8, Adamos 4, Flores 4, Amores 4, Rosales 3, Taha 3, Paraiso 3, Yu 2, Chan 2, Navarro 2

QUARTERS: 36-27, 72-47, 105-71, 120-100

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