By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
Beermen open title-retention bid with a win; PBA board impasse resolved

THE defending PBA Philippine Cup champions San Miguel Beermen opened their title-retention bid with a win, beating the Phoenix Petroleum Fuel Masters, 104-96, in the season opener yesterday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Towed anew by its solid starting five, San Miguel withstood everything that a “retooled” Phoenix squad threw at it from start to finish and marched to its first win in the season-opening tournament of the Philippine Basketball Association.

San Miguel opened the game with an 8-0 blast and pretty much never looked back.

It built a 23-18 lead at the end of the first period before doubling it to a 10-point cushion, 47-37, by the halftime break.

Phoenix, now playing under the baton of new coach Louie Alas, tried to make its move in the third period but Arwind Santos and the rest of the Beermen would hold the fort and maintain control, 79-68, at the end of the frame.

The Fuel Masters continued to crowd the Beermen to begin the fourth, cutting down their deficit to just five points, 85-80, with 6:28 left on the clock.

However, like much of what they done throughout the match, the Beermen would find ways anew to keep their opponents at bay, outscoring their opponents, 18-4, in the next four minutes to extend their lead to 19 points, 103-84, that all but put the game away from the reach of the Fuel Masters.

June Mar Fajardo led San Miguel to the win with 23 points, 16 rebounds and four blocks.

Alex Cabagnot had 22 points while Marcio Lassiter had 20 markers.

Chris Ross finished with 16 points and nine assists while Mr. Santos had 14 points and 11 rebounds.

Phoenix, for its part, was paced by Jeff Chan with 18 points while Matthew Wright had 12.

“We really wanted to take the first game because we want to bounce back for the kind of finish we had last conference. Good thing everybody did their job and nobody got hurt,” said Mr. Fajardo, named player of the game, following their win.

ALL’S NOW WELL
Meanwhile, prior to the opening of Season 43 of the PBA, members of the Board of Governors met the press to announce that the impasse that beset it in the last few months is now over.

At a quagmire over the status of Commissioner Chito Narvasa, the board said everything has been ironed out with Mr. Narvasa agreeing to step down.

TNT representative Ricky Vargas said Mr. Narvasa tendered his resignation yesterday morning effective immediately.

He was, however, asked to stay until the end of the year to facilitate in the transition.

Named officer-in-charge of the league was PBA media bureau chief Willie Marcial.

“I’d like to thank some people who made us stronger than ever and who never gave up during this crisis the PBA underwent,” said Mr. Vargas, who also announced a swap in board chairmanship this season with him taking leadership from supposed chairman Ramoncito Fernandez of NLEX.

“We reached out to Commissioner Narvasa and we made amends for the things that needed to be clarified and he has tendered his resignation effective today (yesterday). We thank him for his services and contributions to the PBA. Appointed OIC is Willy Marcial,” added Mr. Vargas, who was surrounded by members of the board as he spoke to the media.

Prior to settling their differences, league board members were divided over the standing of Mr. Narvasa.

Seven teams, namely TNT KaTropa, Alaska Aces, Blackwater Elite, Meralco Bolts, NLEX Road Warriors, Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and Phoenix Petroleum Fuel Masters, citing “loss of confidence” over “questionable” decisions of Mr. Narvasa of late, were calling for his outright resignation.

Five teams — San Miguel Beermen, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings, Magnolia Hotshots, Kia Picanto and GlobalPort — meanwhile, were batting for Mr. Narvasa’s retention until due process was done.

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