San Miguel overpowers AirAsia anew

THE SAN MIGUEL Beermen proved that they have got the number of the AirAsia Philippine Patriots after they swept their rivals following their 93-78 win in the Asean Basketball League late Saturday at the Ynares Arena in Pasig City.

The addition of Chris Alexander to the fold of the Patriots made no difference as the Beermen topped them for the third straight time this year.

Duke Crews and hotshot local Leo Avenido waxed hot from the field as they each scored 23 points to lead the Beermen onslaught, which gave them a 13-4 (win-loss) record and pull to within a game of the Patriots for the lead in the standings.

Alexander flew in to replace the reigning Best Import Nakiea Miller and actually had a decent performance of 16 points, 12 boards and three blocked shots.

But it was hardly enough for the Patriots, who trailed by as many as 23 in the fourth period.

The Patriots missed the services of top guard, Al Vergara, who sat out the match because of an illness.

The Beermen pulled away in the third period behind Crews’ inside play and Avenido’s outside sniping. The game was fairly close with SMB ahead, 50-43, when Crews had a slam while Avenido made consecutive three-pointers, which gave them a 58-43 lead.

They pulled further away in the fourth, which they opened up with an 8-0 salvo capped off with a three-point play from SMB’s other import Nick Fazekas.

Fazekas, who was playing in his second game for the Beermen, had 16 points, 16 boards, three assists, two steals and four blocks./Correspondent Jonas Panerio