WATCH: Interview with Asst. Coach Jorge Gallent and Best Player Simon Enciso [Nov. 26, 2022]

San Miguel drove the final nail on TNT’s coffin while breathing more life on its own bid with a 119-99 demolition in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig Saturday.

A conference after a dogfight of a duel for the All-Filipino crown, the two teams this time engaged in a yawner of lopsided match with the Beermen showing no mercy on the injury-depleted TNT side to push their quarters aspiration.

Devon Scott and his local teammates assured themselves of at least a tie for the last Final Eight spot while showing the Tropang Giga the door on their 20-point victory.

The Beermen play the Meralco Bolts in the final play date of the elims on Friday while the Tropang Giga are done with their ill-fated Commissioner’s Cup campaign, finishing with just four wins against eight defeats.

For the first time in the last eight conferences, the Smart PLDT franchise failed to make it past the elims play.

From seventh place, the Beermen improved to joint fifth with the NorthPort Batang Pier, and they’re now knocking at the best-of-three quarters door with a 6-5 slate.

“This win is very important as it brings us a step closer to our goal of a best-of-three. At the start of the conference, our goal was No. 1 or No. 2 for the twice-to-beat advantage, unfortunately we didn’t have a chance at it, and we’re now chasing our next goal,” said assistant coach Jorge Gallent, still calling the shots for the Beermen with head coach Leo Austria observing health and safety protocols.