The San Miguel Beermen capped their elimination round with a 116-104 win over the Phoenix Fuel Masters on Saturday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, securing momentum heading into the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals.
The Beermen closed the elims at 7-5, good for at least a share of fifth place. Phoenix slipped to 6-6, leaving the Fuel Masters in danger of drawing the top seed in the next round. Final seedings hinge on Sunday’s games at the MOA Arena, with Magnolia facing Meralco and TNT battling Ginebra.
What Happened?
Phoenix came out strong, taking the opening quarter 30-22 behind Johnathan Williams’s inside presence. San Miguel regrouped in the second, flipping the score, 34-31, to lead 56-51 at halftime.
The Fuel Masters stayed close through three quarters, trailing by only 85-82, heading into the final frame. However, the Beermen’s depth and ball movement took over late. Bennie Boatwright and Jericho Cruz powered a decisive fourth-quarter surge that sealed San Miguel’s third straight victory.
Who Stood Out?
Boatwright, who is a step closer to naturalization, once again carried the Beermen, finishing with 34 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists. Cruz provided the spark off the bench, tallying 20 points and earning Best Player of the Game honors. Cjay Perez and Don Trollano added steady support with 12 and 14 points, respectively.
Williams led Phoenix with 26 points and 13 rebounds, while Ken Tuffin and RJ Santos chipped in 18 and 17 points, respectively. Despite missing key contributors Ricci Rivero and Jason Perkins, Phoenix kept pace until the final frame.
3 Keys to the Game
- Bench energy. Cruz and the second unit delivered 47 points, injecting pace and intensity whenever the starters faltered.
- Second-half surge. After a sluggish start, San Miguel outscored Phoenix 61-53 in the final two quarters, dictating tempo and execution.
- Boatwright’s consistency. Boatwright’s scoring punch steadied the Beermen, ensuring they closed the eliminations on a high note.
Next Up for the PBA
Sunday, May 10, 2026 | SM Mall of Asia Arena
Meralco Bolts vs. Magnolia Hotshots (5:15 p.m.)
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel vs. TNT Tropang 5G (7:30 p.m.)
