San Miguel Beer put on a blistering third quarter to continue its mastery of TNT, 110-95, on Friday to book a quarterfinals berth in the PBA Philippine Cup at Ynares Center here.
CJ Perez sizzled for 33 points, 17 in that telling third that saw the Beermen buck a four-point halftime deficit and turn the game wide open in their favor.
His lead role enabled San Miguel to create a four-way tie for the lead at 6-2 with Converge, NLEX and Rain or Shine while also cementing its place in the last eight.
The win came after the two teams squared off for the first time since the title series of the same conference last July which ended with San Miguel taking down TNT in six games.
June Mar Fajardo had 12 points and 17 rebounds, Don Trollano scored 12 while Jericho Cruz pumped in 11 for the Beermen.
Perez, Fajardo and Cruz were back as teammates after the latter met Gilas Pilipinas twice in the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers as a member of Guam.
Jordan Heading scored 18 points while Calvin Oftana added 16 in his return from injury, but TNT fell to 5-3, tied with Magnolia for fifth in the standings.
It was TNT’s second straight loss which started with an 18-point collapse against Rain or Shine in Cagayan de Oro before the Fiba break.