Surging SMB out to extend victory run
Fresh from setting two league records, San Miguel Beer hopes to stay on a roll against Westports Malaysia in the Asean Basketball League today.
“We have to keep on winning,” said San Miguel coach Leo Austria. “Our short term aim is to be No. 1 after the eliminations.”
The Beermen, who just unseated defending champion Indonesia from the top spot with a 12-3 record, set the longest winning streak of nine games after posting the biggest winning margin of 52 points against the Saigon Heat, 101-49, on Wednesday night in Vietnam.
Austria hopes the double feat will inspire the Beermen to do even better in their bid for a 10th straight win versus the dangerous Dragons at 5 p.m. at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Asi Taulava fired 18 points on a 9-of-12 clip while Chris Banchero tallied 11 points, four rebounds, six assists and four steals in the Beermen’s rout of the short-handed Saigon squad.
The Heat, at the tailend with a 3-12 card, played minus suspended American import David Palmer and the injured duo of Larry Tieu and Filipino import Jai Reyes.
The Dragons, though, stand as a tougher opponent with Gavin Edwards, Justin Melton, Marcus Hubbard, Moala Tauuaa and Satyaseelan Kuppusamy and Filipino mentor Ariel Vanguardia.
The Dragons aim to build on their 80-79 upset triumph over the Warriors last week.
The scores:
SAN MIGUEL BEER 101—Taulava 18, Banchero 12, Williams J. 11, Williams B. 11, Acuña 11, Avenido 9, Hubalde 8, Burtscher 6, Fortuna 5, Luanzon 4, Rizada 4, Thiele 2.
SAIGON 49—Sumalinog 16, Ly 12, To 8, Lowhorn 7, Vergara 6, Ngo 0.
Quarters: 23-17, 44-27, 78-37, 101-49
