PBA: King erupts for 44 as QF-bound San Miguel blasts Terrafirma

MANILA — George King erupted for 44 points as quarterfinals-bound San Miguel blasted also-ran Terrafirma, 135-105, in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup on Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

King, who added five rebounds, five assists, one steal and two blocks, was joined by June Mar Fajardo and CJ Perez to spearhead the domination of the Dyip.

The nine-time PBA MVP had 25 points on 9-off-11 clip, to go with 12 rebounds to earn the Best  Player of the Game nod, while Perez delivered 22 markers and five boards to play the role of supporting cast to King.

After a close 28-27 opening chapter, the Beermen bombed the Dyip with a 36-20 second period, pulling away for good and enter the last two quarters with a 64-47 edge.

For coach Leo Austria, despite this was a non-bearing game, this match was “important” to bounce back from their previous loss.

They lost against TNT last Saturday, 98-116.

“I tried to remind them that this game is really important for us to bounce back from our loss last game,” said Austria during the postgame interview.

On the other hand, the Ronald Tubid-coached squad saw its record drop to 4-7. Justin Strings tallied a near double-double of 28 points and nine rebounds, while Maverick Ahanmisi had 23 markers and nine assists in the loss.

SAN MIGUEL 135 – King 44, Fajardo 25, Perez 22, Trollano 13, Lassiter 8, Teng 7, Cruz 5, Hernandez 5, Calma 4, Cahilig 2, Ross 0, Tautuaa 0, Brondial 0, Mantua 0

TERRAFIRMA 105 – Strings 28, Ahanmisi 23, Umali 12, Tiongson 10, Chiu 8, Bravo 5, Adamos 5, Miller 4, Eriobu 2, Paraiso 2, Mariano 2, Zaldivar 2, Hanapi 2, Garcia 0, Catapusan 0

QUARTERS: 28-27, 64-47, 105-80, 135-105