PBA: San Miguel boosts standing after win over Phoenix

San Miguel Beermen’s Bennie Boatwright during a game against Phoenix Fuel Masters in the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup. –PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—San Miguel Beer rose to the fifth seed in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup after a convincing 116-104 win over Phoenix at Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo on Saturday.

The Beermen closed the elimination round with a 7-5 record, with the win allowing them to avoid the eighth seed and a potential quarterfinal matchup against top-ranked NLEX Road Warriors.

Final seeding for the playoffs has yet to be determined, with the final day of eliminations on Sunday.

“We don’t want to get into the quarterfinals in a losing effort because of our standing. We’re really hungry for a win and the players realize it,” coach Leo Austria said.

“If we lost, we would’ve faced NLEX but we don’t want to develop that kind of habit where we’re picking opponents. I told everyone to respect the game. We want this team to have a consistent winning attitude.”

San Miguel led by just three points entering the fourth quarter, 85-82, before breaking the game open with a 15-8 run to take a 100-90 lead, capped by a Kris Rosales jumper at the 8:25 mark.

The Beermen’s advantage ballooned to 14, 110-96, but Evan Nelle and Tyler Tio knocked down a couple of triples to keep the Fuel Masters in sniping distance, 110-102.

June Mar Fajardo then shut the door with a triple to push San Miguel ahead, 113-102, with 1:45 remaining.

Bennie Boatwright top-scored for the Beermen with 34 points. Jericho Cruz and Don Trollano came off the bench and finished with 20 and 14 points, respectively.

Phoenix import Johnathan Williams III finished with a double-double of 26 points and 13 rebounds in the loss. Ken Tuffin and Bryan Santos added 18 and 17 points, respectively, as the Fuel Masters dropped to 6-6.