Beermen eye 12th straight win vs Heat

SAN MIGUEL Beer tries to sustain its sizzling streak to 12 games when the Beermen host the sputtering Saigon Heat  in the Asean Basketball League  today at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

After cooling off the Heat, 101-49, in their previous encounter 10 days ago, the Beermen are heavily favored to improve their leading record to 15-3 after the 4 p.m. duel.

The Beermen chalked up their 11th straight victory with a 78-70 scuttling of the Thailand Slammers in Bangkok on Wednesday with Asi Taulava imposing his beefy frame in the fourth period to complement the all-around brilliance of Leo Avenido and playmaker Paulo Hubalde.

San Miguel coach Leo Austria let Hubalde orchestrate the show in place of Chris Banchero, who suffered a torn quadriceps tendon that sidelined him for at least two weeks.

Banchero banged his left leg against Moala Tautuaa during the Beermen’s 80-62 win over the Wesports Malaysia Dragons on April 19.

Austria can alternate Jeric Fortuna in running the point while maximizing his deep roster to wear out the Heat’s depleted lineup.

The Heat (3-13) will try to end a 12-game losing streak with David Palmer back in action after serving a one-game suspension.

On his return last Wednesday, Palmer and the Heat forced the Indonesia Warriors (13-4) to struggle early before losing, 63-77.  June Navarro