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Boatwright Drops 41 In Explosive Return As SMB Escapes NLEX Upset Bid
Photo credit: PBA
Bennie Boatwright came back to the Philippine Basketball Association in a big way, powering San Miguel Beermen to a tense 98-94 win over NLEX Road Warriors in the Commissioner’s Cup at the Ynares Center Antipolo.
Despite feeling under the weather, Boatwright showed no signs of slowing down, erupting for 41 points in a performance that reminded everyone exactly why he’s such a game-changer. And when the game was on the line, he delivered.
With the score tied at 94-all in the final minute, Boatwright calmly knocked down two free throws before throwing down a powerful two-handed dunk to give San Miguel a 96-94 edge with just 32.6 seconds left. That sequence ultimately sealed the deal.
NLEX still had chances to steal it, but things fell apart late. Richie Rodger missed a wide-open triple, and Robert Bolick couldn’t convert a desperate four-point attempt at the buzzer after a quick basket by CJ Perez.
For head coach Leo Austria, the win was a relief—especially considering both Boatwright and June Mar Fajardo were dealing with illness heading into the game. Boatwright even skipped practice due to a cough and cold, while Fajardo had limited minutes after missing several sessions.
Still, both made their presence felt. Fajardo chipped in a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds, while Marcio Lassiter added 16 points to help carry the load. Perez struggled with his shooting but contributed 13 points and nine rebounds, while Jericho Cruz nearly had a double-double with 11 points and nine boards.
The win snapped San Miguel’s two-game losing streak and pushed them to a 4-4 record.
On the other side, NLEX saw its four-game winning run come to an end, dropping to 6-2. Cady Lalanne was dominant early and finished with 35 points, while Schonny Winston added 20 in a hot start. Bolick, however, had a tough shooting night, going just 1-of-9, though he still flirted with a triple-double with 10 rebounds and 12 assists.
NLEX actually looked in control early, building a 35-20 lead behind Lalanne and Winston. But Boatwright flipped the script, leading a massive San Miguel comeback that stretched to an 85-73 advantage.
Still, the Road Warriors refused to go away. Lalanne caught fire again late, scoring 12 points in the fourth quarter, including a clutch three that cut the deficit to 94-92 with just over a minute left.
In the end, though, it was Boatwright who had the final say—proving that even on an off day physically, he can still take over when it matters most.
Despite feeling under the weather, Boatwright showed no signs of slowing down, erupting for 41 points in a performance that reminded everyone exactly why he’s such a game-changer. And when the game was on the line, he delivered.
With the score tied at 94-all in the final minute, Boatwright calmly knocked down two free throws before throwing down a powerful two-handed dunk to give San Miguel a 96-94 edge with just 32.6 seconds left. That sequence ultimately sealed the deal.
NLEX still had chances to steal it, but things fell apart late. Richie Rodger missed a wide-open triple, and Robert Bolick couldn’t convert a desperate four-point attempt at the buzzer after a quick basket by CJ Perez.
For head coach Leo Austria, the win was a relief—especially considering both Boatwright and June Mar Fajardo were dealing with illness heading into the game. Boatwright even skipped practice due to a cough and cold, while Fajardo had limited minutes after missing several sessions.
Still, both made their presence felt. Fajardo chipped in a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds, while Marcio Lassiter added 16 points to help carry the load. Perez struggled with his shooting but contributed 13 points and nine rebounds, while Jericho Cruz nearly had a double-double with 11 points and nine boards.
The win snapped San Miguel’s two-game losing streak and pushed them to a 4-4 record.
On the other side, NLEX saw its four-game winning run come to an end, dropping to 6-2. Cady Lalanne was dominant early and finished with 35 points, while Schonny Winston added 20 in a hot start. Bolick, however, had a tough shooting night, going just 1-of-9, though he still flirted with a triple-double with 10 rebounds and 12 assists.
NLEX actually looked in control early, building a 35-20 lead behind Lalanne and Winston. But Boatwright flipped the script, leading a massive San Miguel comeback that stretched to an 85-73 advantage.
Still, the Road Warriors refused to go away. Lalanne caught fire again late, scoring 12 points in the fourth quarter, including a clutch three that cut the deficit to 94-92 with just over a minute left.
In the end, though, it was Boatwright who had the final say—proving that even on an off day physically, he can still take over when it matters most.
Apr 20, 2026
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