The San Miguel Beermen wasted little time putting their previous setback behind them, unleashing an offensive masterclass to overwhelm the Titan Ultra Giant Risers, 143-105, in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup on Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.
Needing a strong response after falling to NLEX in their last outing, the Beermen delivered exactly that. San Miguel exploded for its highest-scoring game of the conference, highlighted by a remarkable second-half surge that left Titan Ultra struggling to keep pace.
Leading the charge was Jerrick Ahanmisi, who bounced back from a quiet performance in the Beermen’s previous game by pouring in 26 points. His offensive resurgence, combined with another stellar all-around effort from import George King, powered San Miguel to a convincing victory and improved its standing in Group A.
Jerrick Ahanmisi Answers the Call
Every shooter experiences off nights, but the best players know how to respond.
That was precisely the case for Jerrick Ahanmisi, who entered Wednesday’s contest eager to erase memories of a frustrating performance against NLEX, where he was held to only two points.
From the opening quarter, Ahanmisi looked far more aggressive. He confidently attacked the basket, found open space on the perimeter, and knocked down timely jumpers that helped establish San Miguel’s offensive rhythm.
His 26-point outing reminded everyone why he remains one of the Beermen’s most dependable backcourt scorers.
Following the victory, Ahanmisi admitted that rediscovering his rhythm early made all the difference.
“I think today was a good showing for me. The past couple of games I haven’t been playing my best, so today I’m just glad to find the rhythm early.”
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That confidence spread throughout the entire San Miguel lineup as the team continued to pile on points.
George King Continues His Outstanding Campaign
While Ahanmisi grabbed the spotlight with his bounce-back performance, import George King once again showcased why he has become one of the league’s premier reinforcements.
King finished with an impressive 35 points, eight rebounds, eight assists, two steals, and two blocks, filling nearly every category on the stat sheet.
Whether initiating fast breaks, creating scoring opportunities for teammates, or finishing strong at the rim, King consistently put pressure on Titan Ultra’s defense.
His versatility has become one of San Miguel’s greatest strengths this season, allowing the Beermen to attack opponents in multiple ways.
Titan Ultra Keeps It Close Early
Although the final score suggests complete domination, the contest was far more competitive during the opening half.
Titan Ultra matched San Miguel’s energy through two quarters, relying on the shot-making of Joshua Munzon, Bryan Sajonia, and import Tirrell Brown.
Munzon orchestrated the offense effectively while Brown attacked the paint and Sajonia connected on timely baskets to keep the Giant Risers within striking distance.
After an entertaining first two quarters, San Miguel held only a slim 61-58 advantage at halftime.
The game appeared destined for a close finish.
Instead, the Beermen delivered one of the most explosive quarters seen this conference.
Third-Quarter Explosion Breaks the Game Open
Everything changed after halftime.
San Miguel returned from the locker room playing with greater urgency on both ends of the floor.
The Beermen erupted for an astonishing 49 points in the third quarter, turning a tightly contested matchup into a one-sided affair.
Ahanmisi continued knocking down shots with confidence.
King attacked relentlessly in transition.
Don Trollano provided valuable scoring off the wing.
Marcio Lassiter punished defensive lapses from beyond the arc.
Meanwhile, San Miguel tightened its defense, forcing turnovers that quickly became easy transition baskets.
By the end of the third period, the Beermen had transformed a narrow halftime lead into a commanding 110-81 cushion.
With a 29-point advantage entering the fourth quarter, the outcome was effectively decided.
Balanced Scoring Highlights San Miguel’s Depth
One of the most encouraging signs for San Miguel was the balanced production across its roster.
Rather than depending solely on one superstar, several Beermen delivered significant contributions.
San Miguel Leaders
- George King – 35 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks
- Jerrick Ahanmisi – 26 points
- Don Trollano – 22 points
- Marcio Lassiter – 13 points
- Mo Tautuaa – 9 points
- June Mar Fajardo – 6 points
With multiple players capable of scoring in bunches, San Miguel’s offense became nearly impossible to contain.
Even when one player cooled off, another immediately stepped forward.
Titan Ultra Shows Fight Despite Defeat
To their credit, the Giant Risers never stopped competing.
Joshua Munzon paced Titan Ultra with 25 points, while also contributing six rebounds and five assists.
Bryan Sajonia added 19 points, import Tirrell Brown contributed 15, and both Jaydee Javillonar and Paul Yu reached double figures.
Unfortunately for Titan Ultra, their offense simply could not match San Miguel’s relentless scoring pace.
Every promising run by the Giant Risers was quickly answered by another Beermen scoring burst.
Defensive Adjustments Paid Off
San Miguel’s dominance wasn’t limited to its offense.
Acting head coach Peter Martin emphasized after the game that the Beermen made several defensive adjustments following their disappointing loss to NLEX.
Knowing Titan Ultra thrives in transition, San Miguel focused on limiting easy fast-break opportunities while improving its communication in the half-court defense.
Those changes paid immediate dividends.
Once the Beermen slowed Titan Ultra’s pace and controlled the rebounding battle, they were able to dictate the tempo for the remainder of the game.
The result was one of San Miguel’s most complete performances of the conference.
Confidence Restored
The emphatic victory improved San Miguel to 4-1 in Group A and restored momentum after suffering its first defeat of the season.
More importantly, the Beermen reminded the rest of the league just how dangerous they can be when firing on all cylinders.
Scoring 143 points showcased their offensive firepower, but the win was also built on teamwork, defensive discipline, and unselfish ball movement.
Players consistently found the open man, trusted one another, and capitalized on nearly every defensive mistake committed by Titan Ultra.
It was the type of complete performance coaches hope to see as teams begin preparing for the crucial stretch of the Governors’ Cup.
Looking Ahead
For San Miguel, Wednesday’s victory could serve as the spark that propels another winning streak.
If Jerrick Ahanmisi continues to produce at this level while George King maintains his outstanding consistency, the Beermen will remain one of the leading contenders for the Governors’ Cup championship.
Veterans like June Mar Fajardo, Marcio Lassiter, and Mo Tautuaa provide invaluable experience, while the team’s supporting cast continues to prove it can step up whenever needed.
As for Titan Ultra, the Giant Risers will look to regroup after another difficult outing. Despite the loss, the performances of Joshua Munzon and the team’s young core offer reasons for optimism as they continue searching for consistency.
In the end, the night belonged to Jerrick Ahanmisi and the San Miguel Beermen. From a tightly contested first half to a breathtaking third-quarter explosion, San Miguel showcased the kind of championship-caliber basketball that has defined the franchise for years. Their 143-105 triumph at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium was more than just another win—it was a statement that the Beermen remain one of the most formidable teams in the PBA Governors’ Cup.
