PBA: Boatwright makes San Miguel history in win against Terrafirma

MANILA (UPDATED) — The San Miguel Beermen are in a good spot to clinch a twice-to-beat advantage in the 2023-24 PBA Commissioner's Cup, all thanks to Bennie Boatwright Jr.’s stellar game.

The San Miguel reinforcement exploded for 51 points alongside 12 rebounds and three assists in the Beermen’s 132-110 win over Terrafirma Dyip on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

“I was just trying to stay in the zone, stay present, and not think about the future. Play by play, possession by possession,” said the 6-foot-10, former USC Trojans standout who already had 23 markers in the opening frame.

Boatwright also deflected all the credit to his squad, saying that they were one of the main reasons why he reached the 50-point mark.

“I just give all the credit to my coaches and my teammates who were looking for me today,” added Boatwright, who became the highest-scoring Beerman since Shabazz Muhammad who also had a 50-piece during the 2021-2022 Governors’ Cup.

As per PBA statistician Fidel Mangonon III, Muhammad had a 57-point game against the Meralco Bolts in a 115-110 win by SMB during that season.

This, however, is not the only history that Boatwright wants to create with San Miguel.

“I’m very excited. I’ve been hearing all about the tradition. This team has a lot of accolades and I’m very excited to be a part of it and make a run in the playoffs,” said the former NBA G-League player.

The Dyip were actually able to keep it a close encounter until the end of the first 30 minutes of action, and they were even only trailing by nine, 103-94, after a three-pointer by Javi Gomez de Liaño at the 11:29 mark of the fourth.

SMB then went on to run amok on the offensive end, at one point even producing a 12-4 run to create a lead that stretched to 18, 124-106, with only 3:16 left in the game.

Coincidentally, this was also the shot that allowed Boatwright Jr. to hit his 50th and 51st marker in the game.

Don Trollano was also instrumental in SMB’s fourth straight victory, putting up 22 markers, six boards, and two assists. Mo Tautuaa and CJ Perez were equally impressive in San Miguel’s seventh win in 10 games as they scored 16 points each.

Meanwhile, Gomez de Liaño tallied 26 points, seven rebounds, and four assists, but it all went for naught as the Dyip fell to 2-8.

Thomas De Thaey and Juami Tiongson had 17 each as well for Terrafirma.

The Scores:

SAN MIGUEL 132 -– Boatwright 51, Trollano 22, Tautuaa 16, Perez 16, Romeo 12, Lassiter 6, Cruz 6, Brondial 2, Ross 1, Teng 0

TERRAFIRMA 110 -– Gomez de Liano 26, De Thaey 17, Tiongson 17, Holt 13, Camson 11, Sangalang 6, Cahilig 6, Carino 6, Miller 4, Alolino 4, Go 0, Ramos 0