Patriots, Beermen topple foes
THE AIRASIA Philippine Patriots and the San Miguel Beermen kept their lofty perches atop the standings after they posted contrasting victories in the Asean Basketball League last Saturday in separate venues.
The league-leading Patriots started off slowly but dominated the rest of the way as they crushed the reigning champions Chang Thailand Slammers, 89-68, at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
The second-running Beermen, on the other hand, had to lean on a clutch basket by Leo Avenido to pull off a 71-69 win over the Indonesia Warriors at the latter’s homefloor at the Mahaka Square in Jakarta, Indonesia.
The Patriots are still the top team in the league with a 12-2 (win-loss) record while the Beermen are not far behind with an 11-4 mark.
The Patriots got gutsy performances from Eder Saldua and Eddie Laure, who sparked the breakaway in the third period.
Reliable imports Anthony Johnson and Nakiea Miller then took over with the former scoring 23 points on top of five boards, six assists and two steals while Miller got 17 points, 15 rebounds, two dimes, three steals and two swats.
The game was close at the turn with Thailand leading, 33-32. But the Patriots opened the third on fire, scoring 14 straight points to post a 46-33 lead.
Saldua had seven points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals while Laure scattered six points, two rebounds, four assists and a steal.
Meanwhile, Avenido saved the day for the Beermen as he sank a big shot to break a 69-all tie after the Warriors’ Rony Gunawan tied the game up with a triple.
Jarrid Famous led San Miguel with 20 points./Correspondent Jonas Panerio
