San Miguel Beer pulls off close win over Saigon Heat
THE SAN MIGUEL Beermen made it a dozen in a row after pulling off a pulse-pounding 71-69 win over the Saigon Heat in the Asean Basketball League last Saturday evening at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
The win gave the Beermen a 15-3 (win-loss) record and more importantly, allowed them to clinch homecourt advantage all throughout the semifinals.
Import Brian Williams split his charities for a 71-69 lead with the seconds winding down. The Heat then went to Cebuano wingman Oping Sumalinog for the game-winning three that missed as time expired.
Wiiliams had 19 points and five rebounds to lead the Beermen while 40-year Asi Taulava continued to defy father time as he had 18 markers and eight boards.
David Palmer led the Heat with 24 points and 14 rebounds. Saigon fell to their 13th straight loss for an ugly 3-14 mark.
BOX SCORES:
San Miguel (71) – B. Williams 19, Taulava 18, J Williams 8, Acuna 7, Avenido 6, Hubalde 4, Cawaling 3, Fortuna 2, Rizada 2, Thiele 2, Menk 0.
Saigon (69) – Palmer 24, Howard 19, Reyes 16, Sumalinog 4, Gonzales 3, Ngo 3, To 0. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio
