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It was brutal.
While the final score of 97-86 would hint at a close game (even if you look by quarters: 20-27, 49-37, 71-58, 97-86), what we witnessed on the floor would suggest otherwise. The Batang Pier didn't stand a chance once the Beermen buckled down to work and got into a steady rhythm.
The Gilas "Golden Boy" Terrence Romeo was taken out of the equation early, with a rejuvenated Ronald Tubid basically on him the entire night like latik on suman. Whenever Tubid would take some rest, SMB head coach Leo Austria would throw Alex Cabagnot, Brian Heruela, Ryan Arana, Marcio Lassiter, Chris Lutz and even Arwind Santos in cross-matches at times at the hapless Romeo who finished with a measly 5 points and 7 rebounds output.
Romeo's partner in crime Stanley Pringle fared a lot better, if only because SMB opted to take Romeo out instead of him. Pringle finished with 20 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists all while looking like a bearded Jayson Castro on the hardcourt. This guy was practically waltzing his way to the rim regardless if it were defensive specialist Chris Ross or the bulkier Heruela on him.
Journeymen veterans Joseph Yeo, Doug Kramer and Keith Jensen tried their best to provide support but they were simply outmatched by the Beermen in every front.
Leading the way was Alex Cabagnot, basically looking like he deserves at least some Gilas tryout mention with a solid 19 points, 4 rebounds and 8 assists stat-line. He was quarterbacking, hitting timely jumpshots and even playing some spot on defense on Romeo.
Of course, Cabagnot's life was made easier thanks to the "is he really injured, because he damn sure looks like he isn't-- oh, and he got bigger too" JuneMar Fajardo. The reigning 2x PBA MVP finished with 21 points and 17 rebounds, basically mowing down arguably the toughest collection of bigs you can find in the whole PBA: Kramer, Dorian Pena and Billy Mamaril.
Fajardo made them look weak. Like, "I'll just shoot over you because posting you up is too easy" weak.
Which means, he'll probably drop the same numbers on just about every single center in the league regardless.
If that 1-2 punch wasn't enough, the Beermen kept changing their guys to ensure that they always have fresh legs on the court. And you know what? It hardly affected their playing style. Once Fajardo sat, they simply played at a quicker pace, with Gabby Espinas playing the pivot and Yancy de Ocampo playing Arwind Santos' "wait for the kickout pass for the easy 3" ploy on offense.
On defense? Sure, de Ocampo is no Fajardo, but the guy is still 6"9 and decent. Espinas brings a whole new level to the Beermen's interior defense too, since Santos is built more to stop perimeter players.
The team was so good, that they didn't really need Lassiter and Lutz to knock down treys.
Lord have mercy.
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