CJ Perez leads San Miguel back into the win column

San Miguel Beer guard CJ Perez during a game against Magnolia in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.–PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines–San Miguel hit all the important shots late on Sunday night to slip past Magnolia, 85-78, in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

Marcio Lassiter, frosty throughout the night, buried back-to-back triples while CJ Perez sank one more to put the Hotshots away for good at Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

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“We were able to arrest our slide. In our last three or four games we weren’t able to beat our opponents in the EASL and here in the PBA. And this is a good thing for us—winning against Magnolia because they are a contender going into Top 8. So this is a big [development] for us,” coach Leo Austria said.

READ: San Miguel out of EASL Final Four race after big loss to Hiroshima

Perez top scored with  23 points and added 10 assists and four steals. Import Jabari Narcis chipped in 18 points and 23 rebounds, while June Mar Fajardo 13 and 14, his free throws putting the icing on the cake as the traditional powerhouse rose to 4-4 in the race.

Import Ricardo Ratliffe delivered 24 points and 15 rebounds, while Mark Barroca pumped in 13 more in the losing stand denied perennial bridesmaids  a chance to get a streak going in a conference where they are struggling.

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With the loss, Magnolia dropped to 3-6 win-loss with its chances of advancing to the next round starting to look bleaker.

READ: PBA: Ginebra whips San Miguel ahead of clash vs No. 1 NorthPort

San Miguel will try to annex a second straight win against Meralco on Saturday, while Magnolia goes up against rejuvenated Phoenix on Thursday.

The Scores:

SAN MIGUEL 85 – Perez 23, Narcis 18, Tiongson 13, Fajardo 13, Cruz 10, Lassiter 8, Ross 0, Brondial 0, Trollano 0, Cahilig 0

MAGNOLIA 78 – Ratliffe 24, Barroca 13, Lucero 9, Lasimosa 9, Sangalang 6, Dela Rosa 4, Abueva 4, Alfaro 4, Ahanmisi 3, Balanza 2, Dionisio 0, Laput 0

Quarterscores:  20-17, 40-29, 60-60, 85-78.