Beermen Defeat Bolts 108-97 in PBA Philippine Cup Quarterfinal Clash
A Statement Win at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium
The San Miguel Beermen proved they are back in championship form after a dominant 108-97 victory over the defending champion Meralco Bolts on Friday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. With the win, the Beermen became the first team to clinch a berth in the semifinals of the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup.
This win wasn’t just about advancing—it was redemption.
After being ousted by Meralco in last year’s All-Filipino Finals and failing to even reach the quarterfinals in the last conference, San Miguel came into the game with something to prove. Head coach Leo Austria put it simply: “We just redeemed ourselves.”
Fajardo Leads the Charge
Six-time MVP June Mar Fajardo once again showed why he’s the cornerstone of San Miguel’s franchise. The dominant big man tallied 23 points and hauled down 15 rebounds in a vintage performance that set the tone for the team early on.
But Fajardo wasn’t alone in carrying the offensive load.
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Juami Tiongson and Celedonio “CJ” Trollano each added 19 points, showcasing San Miguel’s potent backcourt firepower.
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CJ Perez, always a spark on both ends of the floor, chipped in 14 points.
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Rodney Brondial delivered a solid double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds.
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Mo Tautuaa rounded out the balanced scoring effort with 10 points off the bench.
This spread-out offensive attack proved too much for the Bolts to contain.
Fast Start Seals the Tone
San Miguel came out blazing in the first quarter, knocking down outside shots with ease and racing to a commanding 35-20 lead. Their aggressive start rattled Meralco and gave the Beermen full control of the game early.
At halftime, the Beermen were comfortably ahead, 58-44.
Although Meralco fought back in the third quarter—narrowing the deficit to just six points at 81-75—the rally was short-lived. San Miguel quickly regrouped, with key baskets from Fajardo and Perez helping them re-establish a double-digit lead heading into the final stretch.
Meralco’s Gallant Stand Falls Short
Despite the loss, the Meralco Bolts didn’t go down without a fight.
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Chris Banchero had a stellar outing, leading all scorers with 32 points.
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Chris Newsome added 23 points, providing offensive consistency for the Bolts.
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Norbert Torres chipped in 13, battling hard in the paint.
Still, Meralco’s valiant effort wasn’t enough to overcome the depth and cohesion of the Beermen, who seemed determined to erase last season’s bitter memories.
Looking Ahead: Eyes on the Finals
With the quarterfinals now behind them, San Miguel shifts its focus to the semifinals, where they await the winner of the Ginebra vs. Converge matchup. Both teams pose unique challenges, but the Beermen’s experience, depth, and hunger make them a formidable opponent.
For Coach Leo Austria and his battle-tested squad, the mission is clear: reclaim the PBA Philippine Cup crown they once dominated.
This quarterfinal victory was more than just a ticket to the semis—it was a message to the rest of the league. San Miguel is back, re-energized, and refocused on winning it all. With a healthy June Mar Fajardo leading the charge and a deep roster firing on all cylinders, the Beermen are making a powerful case as title favorites.
Whether it’s Ginebra or Converge next, one thing is certain—San Miguel is not done yet.
