Dorian proves big factor for San Miguel

It’s tough implementing a new system at a time when you are defending a title.

Luckily for San Miguel, it’s got a little help going its way.

With Danny Seigle decommissioned by a torn Achilles tendon and the rest of the Beermen groping for form under a new basketball philosophy, San Miguel has still managed to stay near the top of the Philippine Basketball Association Selecta All-Filipino Cup largely due to one man.

And this guy, Dorian Peña, has indeed been San Miguel’s "Big Factor."

In fact, in San Miguel’s two extended wins in the span of one week, Peña established himself as a key contributor and rightfully claimed the Player of the Week for the period of Nov. 18 to 24.

"He’s really been improving and he has helped us a lot, especially with his hustle plays and inside presence," said San Miguel coach Jong Uichico, who admits the entire team has been fumbling at times with the new system being implemented.

Still, the Beermen, already lacking the firepower Seigle normally provides, have enough people, particularly Peña, to count on to make up for those lapses.

In an 82-79 win over Talk ‘n Text Friday, a game that went into overtime, Peña scored 17 points and scrambled for 17 rebounds in 39 minutes of action.

He also helped keep Asi Taulava off the low blocks, limiting the Phone Pals center to just 12 points and six rebounds.

Two days after playing in all but six minutes of the match, Peña came back and played 44 minutes, resting for just six minutes as he helped the Beermen to another win, this time over Coca-Cola, in double overtime.

Although Danny Ildefonso proved to be the key factor as he scored eight points in the two overtimes, it was Peña who kept the Beermen together in regulation as he scored a total of 24 points and 11 rebounds to get the job done.

Peña’s heroics helped him edge several players considered for the weekly citation, including Willie Miller, who delivered another highlight-film performance for Red Bull, Renren Ritualo who keyed FedEx’s first win with timely hits from the perimeter, and Nic Belasco, whose offensive improvement has helped the Beermen withstand the absence of Seigle.