Reyes shines as Saigon trips San Miguel

FILIPINO import Jai Reyes capped a solid shooting performance with two free throws that lifted the Heat to a 92-89 triumph over San Miguel Beer in the Asean Basketball League (ABL) Saturday night at Tan Binh Stadium in Vietnam.

Reyes, who finished with 22 points behind the 27 of Americans Dior Lowhorn and 26 of David Palmer, hit the two pressure-packed charities with five seconds left as the Heat grabbed the solo lead with a 3-1 card.

The Beermen had a shot at forging an extra period but import Gabe Freeman missed his three-point try at the buzzer. Freeman fired 16 points to pace the Beermen, who slipped to 1-1.

The Beermen, who blew a 10-point lead, 62-52, rallied from 84-90 to move within a point, 89-90, with 22 seconds left following a Freeman basket and a Leo Avenido triple. Then Reyes was fouled and the former Ateneo guard delivered.

San Miguel gets a chance to avenge its first loss when the Beermen clash with the Heat anew this Friday in their first home game at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

Lowhorn and Palmer also pulled down 12 rebounds each for the Heat, who used only eight men.

Brian Williams had 14 points and 16 boards while Eric Menk shot 12 points for the Beermen.

In Kuala Lumpur, the Indonesia Warriors downed Westports Malaysia Dragons, 79-72, to tie their victim in second spot at 2-2.

Chris Daniels and Steve Thomas combined for 35 points, while Filipino import Jerick Cañada and Mario Wuysang chipped in 11 each for the Warriors. Jasmine W. Payo

The scores:

SAIGON 92—Lowhorn 27, Palmer 26, Reyes 22, Morrison 9, Tieu 6, Dehesa 2, Jones 0, Tuan 0.

SAN MIGUEL BEER 89—Freeman 16, Williams 14, Menk 12, Acuña 12, Banchero 11, Taulava 10, Cawaling 8, Avenido 6, Hubalde 0.

Quarters: 23-20, 42-46, 62-68, 92-89