SAN MIGUEL Beer had it no easier the fourth time around, fending off Sports Rev Thailand’s late push before forging a 76-69 triumph in the Asean Basketball League (ABL) yesterday at Ynares Sports Arena.
The Beermen held a 24-point lead early in the final quarter, 69-45, then survived the Slammers’ fourth-quarter fightback on the way to their 15th straight victory.
Asi Taulava powered the Beermen with 15 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks, and import Justin Williams also had a double-double of 10 points and 14 boards.
“You never know what will happen [against the Slammers],” said San Miguel coach Leo Austria.
Just like in their first three meetings, the Slammers—mentored by Joe Bryant, the father of NBA superstar Kobe Bryant—kept the league leaders on their toes.
The Beermen won their first two games versus the Slammers by just an average of six points and also had to rally to a 78-61 victory in their third meeting last May 8.
The game was briefly halted after Bryant complained of a non-call on an alleged Williams goal tending violation in the fourth quarter.
Bryant pulled out his players from the playing court at the 4:48 mark as a sign of protest to the referees, before deciding to just call a timeout.
But the incident apparently fired up the Slammers as they applied full court pressure defense the rest of the way, going on a 19-4 run to cut the Beermen’s lead to 64-73.
The Beermen, who got a combined 17 points from former MVP Leo Avenido and Jeric Fortuna, are assured of the top spot with an 18-3 record while the Thais are tied with Singapore for fourth spot at 7-14. With a report from Nico Pascual
The scores:
SAN MIGUEL BEER 76—Taulava 15, Williams J. 10, Avenido 9, Fortuna 8, Williams B. 7, Hubalde 7, Menk 6, Rizada 5, Acuna 4, Cawaling 3, Thiele 2, Burthscher 0.
SPORTS REV THAILAND 69—Charles 30, Brannon 10, Gonzaga 7, Kongkum 6, Dasom 5, Apiromvilaichai 3, Samerjai 2, Baguion 2, Ghogar 2, Lertlaokul 2, Sekteera 0, Klahan 0
Quarters: 22-12, 38-27, 61-42, 76-69