San Miguel Beermen rip apart Saigon Heat, nail fourth win

Overcoming an erratic first half, San Miguel turned back the Saigon Heat, 85-62, to forge a three-way-tie for second in the Asean Basketball League last night at the Tan Binh Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Dalron Johnson and Doug Thomas got San Miguel all fired up with their flashy plays as the Beermen took command from the third quarter after blowing several double-digit leads in the first half.

Johnson buried 24 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, while Thomas also wound up with a double-double of 18 markers and 10 boards.

Leo Avenido emerged as the top local performer anew with 16 points, while Allan Mangahas delivered his best game yet by scoring all of his 11 points in the second half against the winless Heat.

The Beermen tied the Singapore Slingers and the Westports Malaysia Dragons at 4-2, just behind the AirAsia Philippine Patriots (4-1).

Malaysia improved to second as Filipino Patrick Cabahug fired 26 points in the Dragons’ 106-72 rout of Chang Thailand Slammers yesterday in Kuala Lumpur.

The Patriots try to keep the solo lead against the Singapore Slingers at 4 p.m. today at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

The scores:
SAN MIGUEL 85—Johnson 24, Thomas 18, Avenido 16, Mangahas 11, Fernandez 7, Fajardo 4, Baguion 2, Rizada 2, Gonzales 1, Basco 1, Cabatu 0, Dela Peña 0.
SAIGON 62—Jones 26, Hodge 23, Smith 6, Trieu 3, Capati 2, Javier 1, Nguyen 1, Ly 0.
Quarters: 18-18, 38-34, 67-49, 85-62