THE SAN Miguel Beermen secured the top spot in the standings after they won their eighth straight game by defeating the Singapore Slingers, 80-69, in the Asean Basketball League last Saturday evening at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
The win allowed the Beermen to sweep the Slingers in all five of their games this season.
However, the Slingers looked primed for payback early on as they led by five after the first period.
San Miguel’s locals led by Chris Banchero and Asi Taulava did their opponents in by conspiring in a huge third period turnaround that eventually led to the Beermen’s 11th in 14 games.
The Beermen clinched the top spot after erstwhile leaders Indonesia Warriors got stunned by the Westport Malaysia Dragons, 79-80, last Friday.
BOX SCORES
SMB 80 – Banchero 19, Taulava 15, Thiele 11, Rizada 9, B. Williams 9, Avenido 6, J. Williams 5, Luanzon 2, Acuña 2, Hubalde 2, Fortuna 0, Menk 0
SINGAPORE 69 – Phillip Morrison 28, Jennings 13, Singleton 8, Folkoff 7, Wu 5, Cabatu 4, Lim 4, Oh 0, T. Goh 0, K. Goh 0. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio