MANILA, Philippines - San Miguel Beermen outlasted tough Westports Malaysia Dragons in overtime, 111-104, to draw first blood in their best-of-three semifinal series in the AirAsia ASEAN Basketball League at Olivarez Gym yesterday.
Chris Banchero pumped in 18 points, dished off 15 assists and had six steals to backstop Nike Fazekas’ 32 markers and eight boards and Duke Crews’ 25 points and 11 rebounds as the top-seeded Beermen moved to within a win of making the finals.
“We know this series is gonna be tough, we can’t just walk through it. So everybody came to play,” said ace guard Banchero.
“I feel our defense leaves much to be desired. But I like the character of the team. We could have folded up and given up but kept on,” said coach Bobby Parks Sr., whose wards could have actually won it in regulation if not for failure to convert on their last offensive play, a finger roll by Crews followed by an open trey by Fazekas.
Leo Avenido (17 markers, three feeds) scored a reverse layup to trigger a 9-4 windup that secured it for SMB.
The Beermen will gun for the series clincher next week at the Dragons’ homecourt in Kuala Lumpur.
AirAsia Philippines and Indonesia add a new chapter to their rivalry when they clash in the opening of what is expected to be a tense best-of-three semis series at the Ynares Sports Arena.
With both teams boasting of equally dependable imports, the 4 p.m. encounter is likely to be another cutthroat showdown or perhaps more exciting than their first two matches in the three-round elims.
Co-owned by Tony Boy Cojuangco and Harbour Centre president and CEO Mikee Romero, the Patriots won the first two games but the Indonesian Warriors romped to a 104-79 victory in their third encounter.
Coach Glenn Capacio said that embarrassing defeat won’t happen again since they will be playing in full force this time.
“Everybody is healthy and rearing to get back from that defeat so we’re confident of our chances,” said Capacio.
Air Philippines played with only Anthony Johnson as import that time as team manager Eric Arejola was still in the process of appealing for Nakiea Miller’s reinstatement following the sudden departure of the problematic Chris Alexander.
Johnson, who battled against a groin injury late in the regular season, also declared his readiness, saying: “I will do everything to help my team win.”
The former PBA import emerged the No. 2 scorer among imports after averaging 24.3 points through 21 games. But he was sharper against the Warriors as he normed 29.7 points.
Even Miller is upbeat of beating his former team, saying the locals, led by Al Vergara, Aldrech Ramos, Marcy Arellano and Ardy Larong, have been playing great of late.
Capacio can also count on veterans Kiko Adriano, Rob Wainwright, Eddie Laure, Erick Rodriguez and Bogs Raymundo.
But for the Patriots to prevail in the series, Capacio said they have to be also consistent on defense, especially against Indon imports Evan Brock and Steven Thomas. Fil-Am Stanley Pringle also poses as a big headache for the Patriots.
Since the arrival of Pringle and Brock, the Warriors have turned into one of the most interesting teams to watch in the ABL as they wowed the crowd with their high-flying jams. Brock has been the Warriors’ leading scorer during this five game winning streak with an average of 23.2 points per game.