New Import Justin Patton made quite the statement in his PBA debut, dropping 24 points and grabbing 17 rebounds to power San Miguel Beer to a dominant 110-94 victory over the Macau Black Knights on Holy Tuesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. The win improved the Beermen’s record to 2-2 in the Commissioner’s Cup while dropping the winless Black Knights to 0-5.
What Happened?
Macau grabbed the early lead in the opening minutes, but San Miguel quickly took control and never looked back. The Beermen outscored the Black Knights for most of the game, building a lead that ballooned to as many as 25 points. San Miguel’s balanced attack and superior rebounding proved too much for the visitors, who could only stay competitive in the early going before the Beermen pulled away for good.
Who Stood Out?
Patton was outstanding in his first game for the Beermen, finishing with 24 points on 10-for-19 shooting, 17 rebounds (2 offensive), 2 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block. Cjay Perez led the way with a game-high 26 points on 11-for-17 shooting, adding 3 rebounds and 5 assists. June Mar Fajardo contributed 16 points and 16 rebounds in his usual dominant fashion, while Marcio Lassiter chipped in 12 points.
For the Black Knights, Tony Mitchell Jr. led the way with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Damian Chongqui posted 19 points and 7 assists, while R. Cao added 18 points and 10 rebounds. Kyles Lao provided a spark off the bench with 15 points.
3 Keys to the Game
- Patton’s impact. San Miguel’s new import delivered exactly what San Miguel needed—size, athleticism, and energy. Patton dominated the glass and provided a defensive presence that disrupted Macau’s offense all night.
- Rebounding dominance. The Beermen owned the boards, hauling in 56 rebounds compared to Macau’s 43. San Miguel also won the second-chance points battle (19-13) and points in the paint (62-50).
- Balanced scoring and bench support. Five Beermen scored in double figures, with strong contributions from the starters (83 points) and the bench (27 points). San Miguel shot an efficient 50% from the field and converted 22 fastbreak points.
Next Up for the PBA
Sunday, April 5, 2026 | Smart Araneta Coliseum
NLEX Road Warriors vs. Phoenix Fuel Masters (5:00 p.m.)
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel vs. San Miguel Beermen (7:30 p.m.)
