Boatwright drops 51 to steer Beermen past Dyip

MANILA, Philippines -- Bennie Boatwright exploded for 51 points as he helped the San Miguel Beermen obliterate the already-ran Terrafirma Dyip, 132-110, in the PBA Commissioner's Cup Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The victory boosted the Beermen's twice-to-beat quest.

Boatwright started the game with guns blazing, erupting for 23 points in the first quarter alone.

He finished the first half with 23 points, but San Miguel only held a seven-point lead, 67-60, going into the final two quarters.

The Beermen then found their range in the third quarter, slowly but surely building a 21-point lead, 93-72, with a 26-12 run capped by a Boatwright 3-pointer.

But the Dyip cut the lead to just 12, 103-91, going into the final quarter following a jumper by Juami Tiongson.

A 3-pointer by Javi Gomez de Liano cut the lead to just nine, 103-94, at the start of the fourth quarter.

The Beermen countered with a backbreaking 9-2 run capped by a layup by Don Trollano as they took a 16 point lead, 112-96, once again.

The closest Terrafirma got to was 10 points, 112-102, but San Miguel answered any run the Dyip unleashed.

The offensive explosion of Boatwright, who also had 12 rebounds and three assists in 40 minutes, was followed by Don Trollano’s 22 points and seven rebounds.

Mo Tautuaa and Perez had 16 markers apiece for the Beermen.

Gomez de Liano had a team-high 26 points for Terrafirma, to go with seven boards and four assists.

Thomas de Thaey and Tiongson had 17 points each for Dyip.

San Miguel has now won four straight games and is holding a 7-3 slate in the season. Terrafirma dropped its seventh straight game and is now holding a 2-8 record.