San Miguel Beer drew first blood in the finals of the 2023-2024 PBA Commissioner's Cup.
The Beermen bested the Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots, 103-95, in Game One at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Friday, January 2.
Bennie Boatwright Jr. finished with 28 points and 16 rebounds while CJ Perez added 19 points for the victory of San Miguel.
Near the end of the first half, the Beermen grabbed a 19-point lead, 61-42, after Marcio Lassiter and Boatwright buried back-to-back three point baskets.
The Hotshots rallied in the final period, and went into an 11-point scoring run to close the gap, 94-85.
With less than two minutes left in the game, Magnolia managed to further bring the lead of San Miguel down to five points, 100-95, but charities by Perez, Junemar Fajardo, and Jeron Teng decided the final result of the match.
Tyler Bey tallied 26 points and 15 rebound, while Andy Barroca scored 15 points for the Hotshots that trailed behind by 20 points at most.
Magnolia will have a chance to tie the best-of-seven series on Game Two at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday, February 4.
