Converge def San Miguel, 106-102 [Season 47 Commissioner’s Cup | October 21, 2022]

San Miguel starts life with new import Devon Scott Wednesday as the Beermen tangle with coach Aldin Ayo and his fighting Converge crew in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.

The Beermen are at 1-2 as Scott, fresh from a stint with the Fuerza Regina Monterrey team in the Mexican league, hooks up with the team for their 5:45 p.m. clash with the FiberXers who are slightly ahead in the team standings at 2-2.

San Miguel will bank on Scott, a replacement to Diamond Stone, as the Beermen hope to survive the next four weeks sans June Mar Fajardo who will be out for action due to a recent operation dealing with his laryngeal fracture.

“Mawawala siya (Fajardo) for four weeks, he will miss five games, we don’t know (exactly). But come playoffs, I think he’ll be available. So the challenge for us is to get to the playoffs,” said San Miguel coach Leo Austria.

The Beermen were off to a struggling start minus Fajardo, going down to a 113-87 beatdown by the Bay Area Dragons.

“Talagang na-feel namin. Iba ang impact ng pagkawala niya (Fajardo),” said Austria. “All our plays involve him. If he’s not posting up, we use him as a screener, as a roller and once he gets the ball, our opponents double him and that’s an opportunity for our shooters to have an open shot.”

Austria hopes they can fill up some holes on the entry of Scott who will be tested as a rim protector, banger and power player.