Slammers end Beermen’s win streak, take 1-0 lead in ABL semifinal round

All good things come to an end. This, the San Miguel Beermen learned in the hardest of ways as they were upset by the visiting Sport Rev Thailand Slammers, 60-62, in Game One of their best-of-five semifinal round series late Thursday night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

The loss put a stop to the Beermen’s incredible 16-game winning streak. More importantly, it put them in a 0-1 bind in the series.

San Miguel will try to even the series in Game Two today at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

Former San Miguel guard Froilan Baguion proved to be the biggest thorn in the side of the Beermen as he expertly orchestrated the offense in the final seconds, which led to the game-winning jumper of Darongpang Apiromvilaichai’s with 5.7 ticks remaining in the game.

Baguion, a former ace of the M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Niños, struggled from the field, making only one of his 11 attempts. But he made up for that with eight assists and five steals.

He made key plays in crunchtime, first intercepting Brian Williams’ pass and splitting his freethrows for a 60-58 lead.

Then, after the Beermen tied the game off two charity makes by Chris Banchero, Baguion drove and dished the ball out to an open Apiromvilaichai for the difference-making bucket.

San Miguel did not even get to attempt a shot on their last offensive after Banchero turned the ball over.

Chris Charles led the Slammers with 24 points.

Banchero, playing in his first game in a while after a leg injury, had 13 points while imports Justin Williams and Brian Williams each had 12.

BOX SCORES:

Thailand (62) – Charles 24, Lertlaokul 10, Brannon 8, Klahan 7, Gonzaga 4, Apiromvilaichai 4, Baguion 3, Ghogar 2, Kongkum 0, Sekteera 0, Dasom 0, Samerjai 0.

San Miguel (60) – Banchero 13, J. Williams 12, B. Williams 12, Taulava 6, Hubalde 5, Avenido 5, Acuna 3, Fortuna 2, Thiele 2, Cawaling 0, Menk 0.