Fazekas rescues SMB; Patriots cool off Heat

Nick Fazekas, listless for long stretches, delivered 12 of his game-high 23 points in the payoff period as the San Miguel Beermen survived the Singapore Slingers, 68-64, last night to keep them on top of the Asean Basketball League.

The 6-foot-11 Fazekas spearheaded a 20-6 charge with an assortment of shots and gave his teammates open looks, as San Miguel rallied from a double-digit deficit for the victory.

“We were lackadaisical during the first three quarters and we dug ourselves a hole when we relaxed,” said Fazekas after the Beermen notched a fifth straight win, their 15th in 19 games overall, to keep the top spot with the playoffs in sight.

“It was a wake-up call. We played terrible,” said San Miguel Beer coach Bobby Parks.

Meanwhile, Anthony Johnson scored 19 points and Nakiea Miller added 17 as the AirAsia Philippine Patriots toppled the Saigon Heat, 76-70, in the other game.

The scores:

First Game

SAN MIGUEL BEER 68—Fazekas 23, Banchero 13, Crews 11, Fajardo 9, Avenido 8, Baguion 2, Yap 2, Fernandez 0, Dimaunahan 0.

SINGAPORE 64—Graham 19, Dulay 17, Jeffers 14, Canta 4, Matialakan 4, Oh 3, Wong 3.

Quarters: 18-21, 34-40, 44-54, 68-64

Second Game

PHILIPPINE PATRIOTS 76—Johnson 19, Miller 17, Vergara 11, Adriano 7, Ramos 6, Fernandez 5, Raymundo 4, Rodriguez 3, Larong 2, Arellano 2, Larong 2, Ybanez 0.

SAIGON HEAT 70—Jones 21, Thorpe 16, Sanz 11, Trieu 8, Smith 8, Javier 6.

Quarters: 25-19, 41-35, 59-56, 76-70