PBA: San Miguel extends unbeaten record to 8-0, defeats Magnólia

April 26, 2024

CJ Perez of the San Miguel Beermen in the PBA Philippine Cup against Magnolia. –PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines – On the brink of what appeared to be their first defeat in the PBA Philippine Cup, San Miguel's leading conference scorer and his veteran ace surged forward down the stretch to seal a 98-91 triumph over their corporate brother but fierce rival , Magnolia on Friday night.

Chris Ross and CJ Perez scored consecutive triples to take the fight away from the tough Hotshots, helping the powerful club to their eighth consecutive victory in the tournament where they are the defending champions.

“We just couldn’t sit still on offense against Magnolia, because every time they deny it, it ruins their offense,” coach Jorge Gallent said after the game at Smart Araneta Coliseum. “What the player did tonight: contrary to Magnólia’s denials.”

READ: PBA: Intense practices lead to San Miguel's dominant start

Perez, who leads the Beermen in scoring this conference, led the way with 25 points to go along with five assists, while Ross scored 15. Marcio Lassiter added 12 more, while Mo Tautuaa 10 in the effort that brought the team closer to twice. incentive to win in the quarterfinals.

Beermen CJ Perez and coach Jorge Gallent after remaining unbeaten in eight games. | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/asLVARzrrk

– INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) April 26, 2024

San Miguel recorded the first 8-0 by a PBA team in a decade. TNT were the last to do so during the 2014 Commissioner's Cup, winning the nine-game knockout round and maintaining that untouchable form until the semi-finals, with a total of 13 wins, only to lose against San Mig Coffee in the championship series .

With 20 points at one point, Magnolia came within striking distance late in the fourth quarter behind the heroics of Paul Lee and Aris Dionisio, who scored 23 and 22 points, respectively.

READ: San Miguel's Marcio Lassiter enters race for PBA's all-time 'three' leader

Ian Sangalang, looking much the same as before, scored 17 in a comeback attempt that was rejected when it mattered most.

San Miguel will look to build on their winning ways against NLEX – another team eager to claim playoff armor – on April 28.

Magnólia, which saw its four-game slide fall at the hands of its vaunted sister team, will look to get back into the win column against desperate Meralco also on April 28.