PBA News | Clark scores 40 points, and San Miguel beats Converge and gets the first spot in the semis

March 20, 2023 0 By Ian Rodriguez

San Miguel Beer Secures First Spot in Semifinals with Cameron Clark’s 40-Point Performance

Despite a strict schedule and Converge’s tenacious stance, San Miguel Beer stuck to its mission.

The Beermen defeated the FiberXers, 121-115, on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum thanks to a big third-quarter surge led by Cameron Clark, who finished with 40 points and 13 rebounds.

Second-seeded SMB did not waste a chance to advance by beating a lower-seeded team; CJ Perez scored 26 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, and Vic Manuel shot 9-for-9 from the field for 20 points.

The Beermen will get a much-needed break after playing their third game in five days; they will next face the winner of the best-of-five quarterfinal matchup between No. 3 Barangay Ginebra and No. 6 NLEX.

Coach Jorge Gallent of the SMB thinks his team could use the break to recharge for the upcoming grind.

“It seems like nothing is simple anymore. The postseason has begun! “Gallent remarked.

Gallant said it was tough going against Converge today, and I anticipate the same in the semis. We have to get ready, ready, ready.

New import Tom Vodanovich certainly helped Converge stay competitive with his 39 points and ten rebounds. Despite his best efforts, though, the FiberXers again lost to the same SMB squad in the conference quarterfinals.

“About a month ago, we watched his most recent film performance. That’s all we had to go on when checking up on him “about Gallant. We anticipated his aggressive play and his ability from beyond the arc.

Besides Maverick Ahanmisi’s 18, Justin Arana, Alec Stockton, and Aljun Melecio scored double figures.

With Clark scoring eight straight points to keep SMB close at 57-58 at halftime and then scoring the same number during an 11-0 run that broke the Beermen out of a 70-all tie and gave them an 81-70 lead, SMB would not be denied.

After Perez’s back-to-back triples put the Beermen in an insurmountable 121-103 lead, things went downhill for the FiberXers. Perez also had five assists and as many steals.

Final Thoughts

In this basketball game, San Miguel Beer secured the first spot in the semifinals by defeating Converge FiberX, with Cameron Clark scoring an impressive 40 points and 13 rebounds. The Beermen’s victory was crucial, especially given their tough schedule and the staunch opposition put up by Converge.

Despite the challenges, Coach Jorge Gallent’s team showed remarkable resilience and perseverance, maintaining their focus and determination throughout the game. The victory was particularly impressive, considering it was their third game in just five days.

In the future, San Miguel Beer will have time to recharge before they face off against the winner of the quarterfinal matchup between Barangay Ginebra and NLEX. Coach Gallant and his team are fully aware that the competition will only get tougher from here on out, and they need to be ready for the grind ahead.

On the other hand, Converge FiberX put up a strong fight, with Tom Vodanovich scoring an impressive 39 points and ten rebounds. However, it was not enough to overcome the Beermen, who showed dominance in the game’s crucial moments.

Overall, this was an intense and exciting game showcasing both teams’ skill and determination. Congratulations to San Miguel Beer for securing their spot in the semifinals, and best of luck to both teams in their future endeavors. Check out our PBA betting guide for more insights on the league and its teams.