Beermen escape Warriors for 2-0 lead in ABL Finals

Brian Williams. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/aseanbasketballeague.com

MANILA, Philippines — Brian Williams scored the game-winning basket as San Miguel edged Indonesia, 66-65, Sunday in Game 2 of their best-of-five title series in the 2013 Asean Basketball League (ABL) at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

Williams got free off the back pick by Chris Banchero before Leo Avenido found him unguarded for the point-blank shot off the inbound with 5.2 seconds remaining.

“[The play] was really set up for Brian because I know they will not switch because of Banchero,” SMB coach Leo Austria said of the final play, whose squad moved on the verge of the championship up 2-0.

Williams finished with 17 points and 16 rebounds.

The closely contested series shifts to Jakarta for Game 3 on Wednesday.

Warriors import Steven Thomas led his team with 26 points and 13 rebounds while Fil-American guard Stanley Pringle added 21 points and six assists.

Pringle’s solid play almost gave Indonesia the upset win after he buried a tough one-hander that put his team up, 65-64, with 22.7 ticks left.

The six-foot-one playmaker though couldn’t hit again in the final five seconds as the Beermen escaped.