PBA IMAGES
Based on what he saw Sunday night, Leo Austria feels that San Miguel Beer’s chances in the PBA Governors’ Cup—and the Beermen’s historic Grand Slam bid—are in good hands with import Terrence Watson.
Suiting up a third import in just over three weeks, the Beermen broke away early from Barangay Ginebra to snap the Gin Kings’ seven-game winning streak, 107-103, at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The win also put San Miguel back in top four contention in the season-closing conference.
“There are still a lot of [import] options for us,” Austria said of Watson. “But after tonight, considering that this was just his first game and after having just two practices with us, he’s OK.”
Watson scored 28 points and had 17 rebounds and four locals tossed in twin digits as the Beermen rose to 5-3 and tied TNT KaTropa for fourth spot.
It was Ginebra’s second loss in nine games and the Gin Kings, who trailed by as many as 26 points, dropped into a tie for the lead with NLEX.
Japeth Aguilar had 18 points and LA Tenorio 16 for the Kings.
Earlier, Alaska nipped also-ran KIA Picanto, 102-94, for its third straight win that kept the Aces in the running for a playoff berth.
Knowing it has no form of luxury to spare with its bid in hanging by a thread, the Aces survived a great test of character to live another day.
“Boy, they gave us more than what we wanted,” Alaska coach Alex Compton said. “We were struggling for a while.”
Calvin Abueva scored 26 points and had 15 rebounds to lead the Aces.
Compton knows the Aces need all the character they can muster as they close out their elimination round stint against Meralco on Friday and against Rain or Shine next week.
JVee Casio hit 12 of his 20 points in the fourth period, and LaDontae Henton had a clutch triple with under a minute left that broke the game’s last tie at 94 and sent the Aces to a 3-6 record.
The bottom four teams after the eliminations will get the boot, and the Picanto continue to bring up the rear with their ninth straight defeat.
Geron Johnson had 39 points, including a three-pointer before the Henton conversion that kept the Picanto in the game. KIA led for majority of the contest, only to be held to just 17 points in the fourth period.
ALASKA 102 – KIA 94
ALASKA 102—Abueva 26, Henton 20, Casio 20, Exciminiano 14, Banchero 11, Thoss 4, Racal 3, Baclao 2, Cruz 2, Mendoza 0, Magat 0, Pascual 0, Galliguez 0, Enciso 0.
KIA 94—Johnson 39, Paniamogan 12, Elorde 11, Yee 11, Khobuntin 10, Ballesteros 4, Celda 3, Jaime 2, Corpuz 2, Revilla 0, Camson 0, Salva 0.
Quarters: 23-27, 46-51, 67-77, 102-94