Beermen Go Berserk, Steamrolls Titan Ultra by 41, Extends Hot Streak to Five

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by Cristian Andal

San Miguel guard CJ Perez drives against Titan Ultra forward Calvin Abueva.
San Miguel guard CJ Perez drives against Titan Ultra forward Calvin Abueva. Photo: PBA Images.

San Miguel Beer reminded everyone why it’s still the gold standard of the PBA, putting on a jaw-dropping display of dominance with a 158-117 demolition of Titan Ultra in the Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center in Montalban, Rizal, Wednesday night.

The Beermen came out firing on all cylinders, a 12-0 start, a 79-38 halftime lead, and a relentless assault that left Titan Ultra reeling.

By the time the dust settled, SMB had notched its fifth straight win, improving to 5-2 and looking every bit like a team ready to defend its crown.

The Beermen were so dominant they nearly rewrote history, coming close to the league’s 55-point record set by U/Tex in 1980. Their 158-point output was the PBA’s highest since Swift’s legendary 179-point explosion in 1992, when Tony Harris dropped 98.

“Lahat sila pumutok tonight,” said coach Leo Austria, grinning after the lopsided rout. And he wasn’t exaggerating; everyone contributed.

San Miguel big man June Mar Fajardo shoots over Titan Ultra defenders.
San Miguel big man June Mar Fajardo shoots over Titan Ultra defenders. Photo: PBA Images.

CJ Perez spearheaded the attack with 26 points, drilling three treys in just four attempts, while Jericho Cruz was pure fire off the bench, hitting 8-of-9 shots for 24 points. And as if that wasn’t enough, June Mar Fajardo quietly posted a triple-double, 12 points, 12 boards, and 10 assists, a testament to his continued evolution as the Beermen’s anchor.

Even with the game already out of reach by halftime, San Miguel didn’t take its foot off the gas. Austria emptied his bench, but the Beermen’s depth was just as ruthless, 107 bench points to Titan’s 44, turning what was already a blowout into a historic beatdown.

“It was a total team effort,” Austria added. “Our second group came in and kept pushing. Walang bumitaw.”

The reigning All-Filipino champs now ride into the FIBA break with their confidence sky-high, as Perez and Fajardo prepare to don Gilas Pilipinas colors once again in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

CJ Perez soars high for a layup.
CJ Perez soars high for a layup. Photo: PBA Images.

For Titan Ultra, it was a night to forget. Von Pessumal tallied 21 points, Joshua Munzon chipped in 20, and Calvin Abueva added 16 points and 10 rebounds — but none of it could stop the onslaught. The loss dropped Titan to 2-6, leaving them gasping for air in the bottom half of the standings.

San Miguel, meanwhile, looks unstoppable — a powerhouse firing on all cylinders, showing once again that when the Beermen get hot… nobody’s safe. 

The Scores:

San Miguel 158 - Perez 26, Cruz 24, Trollano 20, Teng 15, Fajardo 12, Cahilig 11, Tautuaa 10, Rosales 10, Calma 9, Miller 6, Brondial 6, Tiongson 4, Lassiter 3, Mantua 2.

Titan Ultra 117 - Pessumal 21, Munzon 20, Abueva 16, Cuntapay 15, Balanza 10, Ular 10, Dionisio 7, Yu 5, Martinez 5, Barasi 4, Melecio 3, Monje 1, Ambohot 0.

Quarterscores: 36-24, 79-38, 121-78, 158-117