MANILA, Philippines—Coach Bobby Parks thinks San Miguel may just have the upper hand this time when his Beermen try to get back on an early tormentor.
Ranged against the squad that spoiled their league debut, the Beermen dispute solo second against the Westports Malaysia Dragons in the Asean Basketball League at 6 Saturday night at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Parks said the Beermen have made key changes since their 77-83 overtime loss to the Dragons in Kuala Lumpur last month.
“Now that we have Doug (Thomas), I think we have a pretty good chance of winning it here,” said Parks, adding that Thomas, who replaced Richard Jeter, has a solid inside presence. “[Jeter] was more of a shooter.”
The Dragons outrebounded the Beermen, 49-34, in their first meeting, where Dragons imports Brian Williams and Tiras Wade also combined for 54 points and 29 boards.
But since that heartbreaker, the Beermen have strung up five wins in their next six games to climb to a share of second with the Dragons at 5-2, just a win behind the AirAsia Philippine Patriots’ league-leading 6-1 record.
Aside from Thomas, the Beermen hope to lean on Leo Avenido, Froilan Baguion, June Mar Fajardo and second import Dalron Johnson.
The Beermen are coming off a 77-61 road-game victory against the Indonesia Warriors, while the Dragons are fresh off an 86-71 win at home over the Singapore Slingers.