Mahindra overpowers San Miguel

MANILA, Philippines - Mahindra played heads-up game with  tremendous firepower coming from its top local players as the Enforcers upended the reigning two-conference champions San Miguel Beermen, 102-96, in the Oppo PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan, Laguna yesterday.

Aldrech Ramos connected with six three-pointers and a total of 26 points, LA Revilla struck for 19 markers including crucial free throws at endgame while KG Canaleta strung up three key treys to highlight a 15-point job as they disappointed the Beermen in their first game since their record comeback in the recent all-Filipino finals versus the Alaska Milk Aces.

Later in this Petron Blaze Saturday Special, the NLEX Road Warriors scored a first-ever win over the Star Hotshots, 106-99, in their head-on duels.

The Road Warriors closed out with two baskets on crucial offensive rebounds in the dying seconds as they forged a four-way tie at third place among NLEX, Blackwater, Globalport and Mahindra at 2-1.

Al Thornton delivered one of those key plays to cap a monstrous 35-point game. Rookie Garvo Lanete added a career-high 21 points.

“This is our first against them, and I’m happy for our guys with this breakthrough,” said NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez.

Meanwhile, with an earlier win over the Globalport Batang Pier, the Enforcers have already matched the number of wins they notched in their 11th-place finish (with a 2-11 win-loss mark) in the Philippine Cup.

“One of the reminders was not to think about the playing condition of San Miguel Beer, fresh from its title run. I told the guys ‘let’s make our own journey. It’s in our hands,’” said Mahindra coach Chito Victolero.

“Another reminder was to be consistent and the little things to be done like boxing out, getting the rebounds and making the extra pass. We also needed the mental toughness in the end,” Victolero added.

The Enforcers did all those things, thus foiling the Beermen in their first outing with import Tyler Wilkerson.

The debuting SMB import came through with a game-high 29 points but the locals were seemingly weighed down by championship hangover.

Meanwhile, only one team will be left unbeaten as Meralco (3-0) and Phoenix Petroleum (1-0) clash at the resumption of play at the Smart Araneta Coliseum today.          

The day’s other game features the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (1-1) parading new import Antoine Wright versus the Barangay Ginebra Kings (0-2).

Wright, 32, is bringing with him sterling credentials as he takes over from reigning Best Import awardee Wayne Chism who suffered a hamstring tear early in the third quarter of their game against the Meralco Bolts Wednesday.

Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao, however, said he may decide to play all-Filipino.

“We are prepared to play all-Filipino even if we have Antoine Wright flying in early Sunday morning. We know he has the talent but there’s just not enough time to blend him in,” said Guiao. “We have our hands full against a team that’s aching to prove itself to their legions of fans. But I still feel we have a chance at winning the game with or without an import.”

If Wright comes in ready to play, the Gin Kings face the 2005 NBA draft No. 15 selection who went on to play five NBA seasons with the New Jersey Nets, the Dallas Mavericks, the Toronto Raptors and the Sacramento Kings.

The West Covina, California native, listed at 6-foot-7, was highly recruited player coming from a stint with the USA team in the 2003 FIBA Junior World Championship where he averaged 6.8 points and 4.4 rebounds. He chose to attend Texas A&M and play under coach Melvin Watkins in a collegiate career marked by his Big 12 Conference Freshman of the Year citation, Honorable Mention All-Big 12 in his sophomore year and No. 4 finish in the Big 12 scoring ladder in his junior year.