Giant Risers shock Beermen to book first win

MANILA, Philippines -- More like Giant Slayers. 

Titan Ultra gave San Miguel a rude welcome in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup via a 119-112 victory Saturday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. 

The Giant Risers thus won their first game in the import-laden conference after a 0-2 start.

Joshua Munzon and Michael Gilmore carried the load for the winning squad. The former finished with 29 points, five assists, three rebounds and four steals, while the latter tallied 28 markers, 13 boards, three pilfers, a swat and a dime. 

Titan led by as much as 21 points, 83-62, in the third quarter as they uncorked a 41-26 frame. 

But San Miguel clawed back, making it a six-point deficit, 90-96, with 8:17 remaining after a CJ Perez deuce. 

While the Giant Risers were able to keep their distance, regaining a 110-97 lead with 5:12 left after a Munzon layup, the Beermen closed the gap to just four, 112-116, with about 58 seconds to go after a Don Trollano 4-pointer. 

But it was the nearest San Miguel got to, as finishing touches by Munzon and Fran Yu iced the game. 

Titan jumped to a double-digit lead in the first quarter, before the gap was closed to just three, 52-49, at the half. 

Ten straight points by the Giant Risers capped by a layup by Gilmore made it a 62-49 ballgame. 

CJ Perez dialed in a 3-pointer that put San Miguel on the board in the second half, but the Titan onslaught continued. 

The lead grew to 21, 83-62, following back-to-back Gilmore triples. 

San Miguel then tried to recover, but Titan was able to fend off the mighty Beermen.

Cade Flores added 13 points, eight rebounds and five assists for the winning team, while Yu had nine markers and 10 dimes.

Perez paced San Miguel with 27 points, seven assists and three rebounds, while Trollano had 21 markers. Mo Tautuaa and June Mar Fajardo had 18 and 15 markers, respectively, for the Beermen, who saw import Marcus Lee was kept to just four points in 24 minutes.