Beermen crush Slingers

Game on Wednesday (Tan Binh Stadium, Vietnam)

7:30 p.m. (8:30 p.m. in Manila) –  Saigon Heat vs San Miguel Beer

MANILA, Philippines - San Miguel Beermen shook off a shaky start to notch their eighth straight win at the expense of Jobstreet.com Singapore Slingers, 80-69, and solidify their hold of the lead in the Asean Basketball League yesterday at Ynares Sports Arena.

Unlike the previous encounters where they were in full control all throughout, the Beermen took some time to impose their will on the Slingers for their 11th win overall in 14 games, ahead of defending champion Indonesia Warriors (12-4).

The Beermen found themselves trailing early on, 22-30, before they cranked it up and detonated a 12-4 blast anchored on Asi Taulava to knot the count at 34-all at the turn. 

A 13-3 explosion to start off the second half gave San Miguel their first double-digit spread and from there, there was no denying who was the boss for this game.

Chris Banchero pumped in 19 points, two rebounds and three assists, while Taulava added 15 and back-up big man Hans Thiele  chipped in 11 as San Miguel completed a sweep of its five-game encounter with the Slingers in the elims following earlier 66-55, 73-53 and 68-61 and 78-57 routs.

Singapore dropped to 5-11, its playoff bids getting dimmer with every loss.