SAN Miguel Beer is bent on retaining its PBA Philippine Cup title and it showed.
The Beermen leaned on their vaunted starting unit to blast their way past Phoenix 104-96 Sunday in a game kicking off the league's 43rd season at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
As usual, starters Alex Cabagnot, Arwind Santos, Marcio Lassiter, Chris Ross and June Mar Fajardo did the most damage as SMB seized full control of the game as early as the latter half of the opening quarter before easily crushing whatever uprising the Fuel Masters could muster.
The win was a very welcome one for Beermen coach Leo Austria, who is aiming to steer the team to an unprecedented fourth straight all-Filipino crown.
"For me, a first win is really hard, especially for us whom everybody was preparing hard for," said Austria while admitting his team's preparations were one of the worst his team has had under him.
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"Maraming disruptions, commitments, guestings," related Austria. "Good thing ipinakita nila na we can defend the title."
Only nine points were scored by SMB's bench with Fajardo notching 23 points, 16 rebounds, four assists and as many blocks and Santos also coming up with his own double-double of 14 and 12.
Ross, Lassiter and Cabagnot had at least 14 points for the Beermen with Ross even issuing eight assists.
So overpowering was SMB's performance that it hardly missed the services of top rookie pick Christian Standhardinger, who is only set to join the team in late April or early May.
"Right now we just have to rely on ourselves," said Austria.
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For Phoenix, which underwent massive retooling following a 12-24 win-loss record and finishing 10th overall last season, it was a rude reminder that more work still has to be done.
Jeff Chan's 18 points paced the Fuerl Masters who also drew at least 10 points from five other players, including the 10 markers and nine boards of No. 4 pick overall Jason Perkins.
Phoenix did put up a gallant, charging back from a 62-79 third quarter deficit and pulling within 80-85, off a Chan triple, still 6:28 left in the game.
But Fajardo and Lassiter combined for 18 points in a scorching run that gave their team a 103-84 bulge going to the game's last 2:36.
Still, Austria said the Fuel Masters have what it takes to pull off some surprises under new coach Louie Alas.
"I believe that team can beat some teams out here, but my players simply refused to lose," said Austria. "They knew we have a title to defend."
