Slammers ambush streakin’ Beermen, gain series lead

MANILA, Philippines - After a record 16-game winning run over three months, top seed San Miguel Beermen suffered what their coach described as their “most embarrassing” experience in the 2013 ABL, dropping a 60-62 loss to Sports Rev Thailand Slammers at Ynares Center in Antipolo City Thursday night.

The gritty Slammers forced the Beermen to a series of turnovers and missed shots then Darongpan Apiromvilaicha came through with a jumper off a perfect feed by Froilan Baguion with five seconds left and a clutch steal off Chris Banchero to clinch the unexpected headstart in their best-of-five series.

“I think this is the most embarrassing moment for us for the entire season because after winning 16 consecutive it came to this. We haven’t lost in the last three months, that’s why I’m not used to it (losing),” said a frustrated SMB coach Leo Austria, whose wards will try to regroup and level the series in today’s Game Two at PhilSports Arena in Pasig.

“This was what I’m warning about. Thailand has the material to beat any team in the ABL and it happened tonight, simply because we didn’t perform well. It seems our team is still riding high from that 16 consecutive wins but like I’ve said, it’s no guarantee we would win in the semis,” he added.

The Beermen will seek to make it a 1-1 affair before they swing to Bangkok for Game Three or if necessary, Game Four.