Heruela steps up as Beermen thwart Batang Pier
San Miguel Beer's Brian Heruela drives to the basket in their game against GlobalPort on Wednesday night at the Big Dome. The Beermen won, 107-93. | PBA Media Bureau
MANILA, Philippines — San Miguel drew a prolific performance from Brian Heruela, who filled the void left by Alex Cabagnot and led the Beermen past a gritty GlobalPort side, 107-93, in the nightcap of PBA’s Wednesday action at the Big Dome.
Neck-and-neck for three quarters, San Miguel tied the game in the final five minutes of the game. June Mar Fajardo flashed his dominant form anew as he, Heruela and Matt Ganuelas-Rosser toyed with the Batang Pier defense and widened the gap by 17 until the final buzzer sounded.
The four-time Most Valuable Player in Fajardo paced the Beermen in scoring with 34 points. Heruela, on the other hand, repaid coach Leo Austria’s decision to make him start with 17 points.
"I’m really expecting this kind of game against GlobalPort because they’re playing really well. Besides, isa dun sa super five namin, si Alex Cabagnot, did not play due to foot injury (plantar fasciitis),” said Austria.
"I'm so happy tonight because of my players off the bench especially Heruela. Talagang inagaw nya yung show kay June Mar and then kay Arwind (Santos) saka kay Marcio Lassiter,” he added. "Of course, Ganuelas, too, who’s playing really well in terms of defense and providing a lot of energy, which [is needed] by our starters."
Heruela’s output versus Batang Pier is his best in a San Miguel uniform.
Meanwhile, GlobalPort, leaned on the steady hands of Stanley Pringle, who finished with 23 points. But without Terrence Romeo, they were simply short of ammo against the stacked Beermen.
San Miguel, the reigning conference champions and favorites to win the title, is still undefeated. GlobalPort, on the other hand, drops to 2-3.
The Scores:
San Miguel 107 - Fajardo 34, Lassiter 17, Santos 17, Heruela 17, Ganuelas-Rosser 10, Ross 6, De Ocampo 4, Pessumal 2, Mamaril 0, Semerad 0, Vigil 0.
GlobalPort 93 - Pringle 23, Nabong 15, Anthony 15, Arana 11, Grey 9, Gabayni 6, Sargent 4, Guinto 4, Juico 3, Elorde 3, Taha 0, Flores 0.
Quarterscores: 22-25, 43-47, 74-72, 107-93.
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