The Beermen also secured the playoff bonus.
Bennie Boatwright heated up as the San Miguel Beermen downed Blackwater Bossing, 125-117, in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Friday.
The 6-foot-9 reinforcement fired 44 points built on eight triples, as the Beermen climbed to the third spot with an 8-3 win-loss record and a twice-to-beat advantage in the playoffs.
Boatwright also had 12 rebounds and five assists for the Beermen, who picked up their fifth straight victory.
After suffering a hand injury last November, June Mar Fajardo also returned for San Miguel with 11 points, nine rebounds, and six assists.
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“The coaching staff did a good job preparing us and we have a great plan so its easy for us players to go out there and produce,” Boatwright said after the match at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Meanwhile, Blackwater import Chris Ortiz ended his run with a double-double of 43 points and 15 rebounds, along with five assists as the Bossing wound up with a woeful 1-10 card.
The Bossing didn’t go down without a fight, though.
Trailing for the most part, Blackwater came to within a whisker on Bradwyn Guinto’s split halfway through the fourth period, 107-106.
But Fajardo was quick to respond with a layup, before Chris Ross knocked down a triple and Don Trollano scored on a putback to give the team a comfortable 114-106 cushion with three minutes remaining.
The Beermen were never in any danger of losing that lead since then.
“In the end they stayed composed. They knew where to go and where to pass the ball. Very blessed with these players, that when it comes to crunch time they know what to do,” coach Jorge Gallent said.