UNDERMANNED and all, Petron Blaze managed to pull off a dominating 98-87 victory over Shopinas.com to seize the solo lead in the 2011 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Dennis Miranda came off the bench and scored 18 points while rookie Chris Lutz added 17 markers for the Boosters, who lead the conference with three straight wins.

Arwind Santos delivered another strong performance with 16 points and 21 rebounds, his third-straight double-double this season and seven in a row dating back to the Governors’ Cup finals.

“Magandang start ito. We have this opportunity playing a young team [like Shopinas.com]. Kailangan trabahuhin dahil hindi madaling laban ito,” said Petron head coach to Agustin, who also drew 12 markers from Joseph Yeo. “Kailangan lang namin ma-sustain ito kasi malayo pa ang tournament,”

The Boosters again played without injured Rabeh Al-Hussaini and Anthony Washington. Dondon Hontiveros added his name on the injury list and could be sitting out a few more games.

“Akala namin simpleng cramps pero bukas malalaman kung ano resulta ng MRI,” added Agustin on the injury of Hontiveros.

Jojo Duncil paced the Clickers with 22 points, while RJ Jazul, Paolo Hubalde and Renren Ritualo each had 12 for the team of coach Franz Pumaren, who is winless in three starts.

Santos was so dominating early on, registering a double-double game in the first half (10 points and 13 rebounds). He capped the first half with a half-court buzzer-beater that gave the Boosters a 51-39 lead.

Petron was never seriously threatened and even hiked its advantage to 21 points, 94-73, with 7:12 remaining.

The Clickers had their only taste of the lead at 10-9, before Petron controlled the game with Lutz, Santos and Miranda scorching the hoop from inside and out.

(Joel Orellana)