INQUIRER Sports

The San Miguel Beermen kept their hot streak going by pulling off a 104-89 victory over the Barako Bull Energy Boosters last night in the 35th PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Beermen padded their winning run to six, hiking their record to 6-2 (win-loss) after a poor 0-2 start.

Off-season acquisition Arwind Santos played his best game in a San Miguel uniform by piling up 33 points, eight rebounds, six assists and two blocked shots.

Cebuano hotshot Dondon Hontiveros added 21 points for the Beermen, while Denok Miranda and Mike Cortez tallied 17 and 10 markers, respectively.

The Beermen seemed headed for an easy victory when they streaked to a huge 33-14 lead early in the second period.

Barako Bull, however, charged back behind Ogie Menor, who almost single handedly carried the Energy Boosters back into the game as he helped the squad rallied within four, 45-49, at the bend.

Barako Bull kept the game close in the third period but suffered a big blow when Menor was ejected for committing a flagrant foul.

San Miguel was just ahead by three at the end of the third, 72-69, but without Menor and the injured Jojo Duncil, Barako Bull's offense sputtered in the payoff period and failed to recover when the Beermen staged several runs to pull away for good.

With the win, San Miguel tied the longest winning streak made by Alaska this conference at six.

Yousif Aljamal paced the Energy Boosters with 21 points, Hubalde netted 20, while Menor came up with 18 points.

The Energy Boosters endured their third straight defeat to drop to 2-5.

BOX SCORES

SAN MIGUEL (104)- Santos 33, Hontiveros 21, Miranda 17, Cortez 10, Pennisi 5, Peña 5, Villanueva 4, Tugade 4, Eman 3, Custodio 2, Racela 0, Calaguio 0.

BARAKO BULL (89) - Aljamal 21, Hubalde 20, Menor 18, Najorda 10, Dimaunahan 10, Sta. Maria 5, Alonzo 2, Crisano 2, Lao 1, Viray 0, Membrere 0, Belano 0.

QUARTERSCORES: 31-14, 49-45, 72-69, 104-89.