SMB takes solo lead with rout of NLEX

By JAY R. GOTERA MANILA — Defending champions San Miguel Beermen finally showed their devastating form, annihilating the NLEX Road Warriors, 106-80, Saturday night in a PBA Philippine Cup road game in Cagayan de Oro City. The Beermen barely showed their vaunted firepower in their previous games, squeaking to victory in three games—against Star, Alaska and Mahindra—and even getting upset by Phoenix. But Saturday night, the Beermen shot the lights out of the coliseum with a dazzling show of both offensive and defensive might en route to their third straight victory and fourth overall in five games. With the win, SMB grabbed the solo lead in the team standings. Alex Cabagnot led the SMB juggernaut with 18 points, including four three-pointers. He also collected four assists, four boards, and two steals. Five other Beermen scored in double digits with reigning and three-time MVP June Mar Fajardo and Arwind Santos scoring 15 points apiece. Fajardo drilled six of nine shots, hauled down 12 rebounds and made five blocks. On the other hand, Santos had eight rebounds, two blocks, and one assist. RR Garcia added 12 points while Marcio Lassiter and Ronald Tubid chipped in 11 markers each. The skidding Road Warriors suffered a fourth straight loss after beating Alaska in their season opener. As a result NLEX is down at 11th place in the standings just a rung higher than cellar-dweller Mahindra (0-5). NLEX big man Asi Taulava and Garvo Lanete both returned from a one-game layoff but hardly made their presence felt. Kevin Alas, Brad Guinto, and Jonas Villanueva scored 12 points each for NLEX in a losing effort. With his team leading by as much as 33 points at one point, SMB head coach Leo Austria had the luxury of fielding in rookies Arnold Van Opstal and Rashawn McCarthy for the first time. However, both failed to score. Games Sunday: Star Hotshots (2-2) vs. Rain or Shine (3-1) and Alaska Aces (2-2) vs. Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (2-2).