San Miguel's June Mar Fajardo goes for a layup against TerraFirma in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup, December 13, 2024 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. PBA Images
MANILA -- San Miguel Beer celebrated Leo Austria's return to the sidelines by pulling away for a 106-88 win against TerraFirma in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup, Friday evening at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Austria was named as the Beermen's new head coach ahead of the game, returning to the post he had vacated in January 2023. He replaced Jorge Gallent, who took over the position.
READ: Gallent named SMB head coach as Austria takes sabbatical
READ: Austria now San Miguel's active consultant
The Beermen welcomed back their mentor on a triumphant note, breaking the game open in the final quarter after allowing the Dyip to hang around in the first three periods.
"In the PBA, you cannot take lightly 'yung mga teams eh. Lahat competitive eh. You can never know what will happen, just like itong TerraFirma. They played last against Meralco, they lost only in the last possession. That's why I'm so happy to be back and win my first [game], after long years on the sideline," said Austria after the contest.
Ahead 73-66 after the third period, San Miguel out-scored TerraFirma 33-22 in the fourth quarter to cruise to the comfortable win. They made 13 of 21 shots in the period while limititng the Dyip to nine field goals.
June Mar Fajardo earned Player of the Game honors with a 21-point, 19-rebound double-double on top of seven assists, while import Torren Jones had 24 points and 13 rebounds in his debut.
With the result, San Miguel snapped a two-game skid, having fallen to NLEX and Rain or Shine in the last two assignments after squeaking past Phoenix in their conference opener. They now sit at 2-2 in the tournament.
"Masaya kami na nakabalik siya at nakuha namin 'yung panalo. Sana tuloy-tuloy na," said Fajardo of Austria's return.
Brandon Walton-Edwards had 18 points and 18 boards for the Dyip, while Mark Nonoy added 14 markers.
A victory continues to elude TerraFirma, however, as they are now 0-4 in the Commissioner's Cup.
The Scores :
SAN MIGUEL 106 – Jones 24, Fajardo 21, Perez 16, Tiongson 12, Trollano 10, Lassiter 6, Rosales 6, Brondial 4, Tautuaa 4, Cahilig 3, Ross 0, Cruz 0
TERRAFIRMA 88 – Edwards 18, Nonoy 14, Manuel 12, Sangalang 11, Pringle 11, Melecio 7, Catapusan 6, Hanapi 5, Ferrer 4, Paraiso 0, Hernandez 0, Olivario 0, Zaldivar 0
QUARTERS : 21-16, 47-39, 73-66, 106-88