Suwon KT Sonicboom came out with guns ablaze from the get-go against the San Miguel Beermen and went on to claim the win.
In a season marked by several personnel changes, San Miguel just couldn’t catch a break.
After seeing three import changes, the Beermen failed to chalk up a win after ending the East Asia Super League with a 81-94 loss to Suwon KT Sonicboom on Wednesday, Feb. 12.
The Sonicboom hosted an all-Filipino San Miguel side that is also missing the services of eight-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo and CJay Perez.
Fajardo and Perez earlier joined Gilas to prepare for the pocket tournament in Qatar on Feb. 14 and the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers later this month.
Rayshaun Hammondas and Ismael Romero conspired in the opening salvo, combining for 22 points in outgunning the Beermen, 39-15.
Hammonds wound up with 19 points, four rebounds, three assists, a steal, and a block, while Romeo ended up two assist shy of a triple double with 15 points and 15 rebounds.
Sonicboom, who led by as many as 37-12, wrapped up their season with a pedestrian 3-3 record.
The Beermen did show signs of life at some point.
Better defense led to offense for the Beermen early in the third period, as Juami Tiongson found Don Trollano open on the right corner in transition.
Trollano did not disappoint and swishd a triple to trim the deficit to 10, 58-48 with 7:41 left in the penultimate quarter.
But San Miguel simply did not have enough firepower to catch up and went on to absorb their sixth loss in as many games in Group A action.
Jeron Teng exploited his size advantage one too many times on his way to team-high 17 points to go with two rebounds and an assist.
Juami Tiongson added 14 points, while Andreas Cahilig and Marcio Lassiter chipped in 12 and 10 points, respectively.