INQUIRER Sports

DOHA—Never mind that San Miguel Beer lost two of its three exhibition matches here, the last a 69-60 decision to the Egypt national team on Saturday night (Sunday morning in Manila).

It was more important for coach Siot Tanquingcen to be able to gauge the strengths and weaknesses of the Beermen with the start of the Philippine Basketball Association’s 39th season less than two weeks away.

He also found the experience a perfect bonding time among the mainstays, new recruits Mike Cortez, Ken Bono and Jay Washington and rookie Bonbon Custodio.

“Defense is one aspect that we should improve on,” said Tanquingcen. “We are also experimenting on new offensive patterns. I don’t expect us to be at peak level come [the PBA’s] opening day [on Oct. 4] but we soon will be if we’ll just be patient.”

The Beermen bowed to the Qatar nationals on Thursday night, 71-62, before beating Qatar club Al Sadd, 62-33, the next night.

“It would’ve been more fruitful, especially for the fans, had we won all our matches,” said Tanquingcen. “But it was a good learning experience. Too bad we weren’t a complete team here.”

Danny Ildefonso, Lordy Tugade and Mick Pennisi failed to join the trip.

Ildefonso is still in the United States after an operation on his feet. Tugade is recovering from a knee injury and Pennisi had a previous commitment. Marc Pingris played against Qatar but flew home right after the match to attend a family affair.

Against the Egyptian nationals, the Beermen never took the lead and were able to tie the match just twice, at 2-all and 26-all, midway in the second period.

A 9-0 run by Egypt had the Filipinos trailing again by nine, 35-26. The closest the Beermen could get to the lead was 40-35 on back-to-back baskets by Dondon Hontiveros and Custodio.

Filipinos here left the match with more than just memories and pictures of and with the Beermen. Some of the lucky ones managed to get the jerseys, playing shoes, towels and T-shirts of the players.

Danny Seigle was listless for most part of the four-nation invitational tournament and Tanquingcen said the 6-foot-7 shooting forward only joined two pre-season practice sessions with the Beermen before they arrived in Doha.

The scores:
EGYPT 69—Ghanim 14, Ammal 12, Saharty 11, Kerdany 9, Badr 7, Genady R. 6, Khassid 4, Elenen 2, Genady S. 2, Adly 2, Said 0.
SMB 60—Hontiveros 14, Cortez 11, Pena 9, Custodio 8, Bono 8, Gonzales 4, Villanueva 3, Washington 2, Seigle 1, Racela 0, Calaguio 0.
Quarters: 25-17; 44-38; 60-47; 69-60