San Miguel def NorthPort, 87-75 [PBA on Tour | May 27, 2023]

Rodney Brondial delivered June Mar Fajardo-like numbers and powered San Miguel Beer to an 87-75 bounceback victory over NorthPort in the PBA on Tour Saturday at the Caloocan Sports Complex.

Pouncing on his opportunity to shine with Fajardo still rehabbing his knee, Brondial dropped 18 points and 21 rebounds to go with three assists in leading SMB past the Batang Pier (0-2) and into the win column after opening the pre-season meet with a 101-106 loss to Phoenix.

“Kapag nabibigyan ako ng pagkakataon, gusto ko lang ipakita kung ano’ng kaya kong gawin at matulungan ang team ko na manalo,” said Brondial, who was adjudged Player of the Game.

Brondial, who shot 5-of-6 from the floor, dropped 11 of his output in the third quarter, joining forces with Jericho Cruz in restoring a double-digit spread after the Batang Pier sliced their initial 20-point lead to a manageable five.

Cruz took top scoring honors with 22 while Terrence Romero followed up his 27-point performance with 14 and Mo Tautuaa banged in 11 for the Jorge Gallent-coached Beermen.

Paul Zamar rifled in 20 while MJ Ayaay shot 18 and JM Calma posted 14-13 for NorthPort, which failed to rebound from its 89-97 opening loss to Meralco.

The Batang Pier got off to the worst possible start, coughing up only six markers on a horrible 3-of-25 shooting in the first 12 minutes.