San Miguel Beermen Basketball Updates

Photo Credit: PBA.PH

As always, its good to start defending the crown with a win. The San Miguel Beermen achieved just that by derailing the Air21 Express through the heroics of its new recruit in Alex Cabagnot, big man Jay Washington, and import Gabe Freeman.

Though very far from having a perfect form, the Beermen performed just enough to subdue a gritty Air21 Express squad. Its pretty obvious that the Beermen are still lacking the chemistry that they need to make a good run for the championship. The many turnovers that they committed is a testament to this one. However, one good observation is that the Beermen are having improvements in terms of passing the ball around.

Below are some of my other observations in this game:

1. Gabe Freeman is still the hardworking and full of energy import that he used to be last year. This is good but he have to be very careful in committing fouls. It can cause us wins if he is out during crucial times of the game.

2. Arwind Santos is out-of-sync last night – miss a lot of 3-point shots and made several turnovers. His playing time was also greatly reduced. This is one of the sacrifices that he have to make in this conference since Gabe Freeman is playing in his position.

3. Coach Siot Tanquingcen allowed Alex Cabagnot to play major minutes (eating some playing time of Jonas) and also have him play during crunchtime. Though this is risky, Alex Cabagnot delivered what was expected of him – even during on his first game with the team. He also got in early foul trouble.

4. Joseph Yeo still needs time to adjust to the team. He is good for 3 points in this game though he played good defense against the opposing squad’s potent shooting guards (Renren Ritualo and Ronjay Buenafe).

5. The habit of the Beermen of having a huge lead and letting the opponents eat it up during crunch time is still there. Though this is understandable with Freeman bowing out with 6 fouls, they should get rid of this bad habit.

For the rest of the game’s news story, read the article below from the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA.PH).

SAN MIGUEL SUBDUES AIR21

Wed, 03/24/2010 – 22:27 — junior

SAN Miguel Beer coach Siot Tanquingcen maintains his team is still a work in progress.

It sure looks headed in the right direction after it got off a 92-87 win over Air21 Wednesday in the PBA Fiesta Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

Reigning Best Import awardee Gabe Freeman and debuting Keena Young of the Express matched numbers with 23 points and 21 each, so it was up to the local Beermen to provide the much-needed support.

None shone the brightest than Jay Washington, who finished with 19 points and seven rebounds, as well as the game’s biggest block on Beau Belga in the last 11 seconds that proved to be the most crucial.

That shot denial led to a fastbreak layup by Alex Cabagnot, insuring SMB’s win as it forged what would prove to be the final count in the final 6.2 seconds.

While admitting it is a good start, Tanquingcen still can’t help but be disgruntled by the fact his team almost blew an 83-70 lead and be threatened at 88-87, on Young’s four straight charities, still 1:11 to go.

“We’ve got a long ways to go,” said Tanquingcen of his team that has acquired Cabagnot and Joseph Yeo after winding up third in the Philippine Cup.

“Everybody knows teamwork doesn’t take overnight to achieve, gradual ‘yun and sometimes it takes years,” he added.

“Kaya nga it’s always a good thing to start out with a win, pero kapaan pa rin.”

Ronjay Buenafe and Belga each wound up with at least 12 points each, but Air21 still failed to fully capitalize on Freeman fouling out with still 2:22 left.

Ronnie Matias lent a big hand to Young in the payoff period, scoring seven of his nine points aside from drawing the last two Freemaan fouls.

Defense helping decide the outcome became apparent after Washington’s charities made it a three-point game in the last 11 seconds. Despite burning two straight timeouts, the Air21 players could not follow coach Yeng Guiao’s instructions for a quick two and Belga was the only one freed up, although his triple try was deemed too hurriedly taken.

Freeman went to work early, already flirting with his double-double as early as the first half with 12 points and nine boards.

Washington, Mick Pennisi and Dorian Pena were the main supporters as the Beermen steadily peeled off by taking as much as a 38-29 lead, only to have the Express narrow it down to 39-44 at the half.

There was no let-up from Freeman’s energy as the game progressed as he added another 11 points and nine rebounds in the third period to lead SMB’s charge to a 70-62 lead into the fourth.

Cabagnot and Pena also played key roles, one ably orchestrating plays while scattering five points and the latter drawing the bigger bodies to draw the inside defenders and helping free up the lanes for Freeman.

All those fueled SMB’s drive to several 13-point spreads, the last at 83-70 on a corner triple by Washington.

Still, Air21 kept coming back.

The scores:

San miguel 92 – Freeman 23, Washington 19, Cabagnot 13, Pena 12, Pennisi 9, Santos 4, Hontiveros 4, Yeo 3, Miranda 3, Villanueva 2, Ildefonso 0.

Air21 87 – Young 23, Buenafe 13, Belga 12, Matias 9, Ritualo 8, Kramer 4, Sharma 4, Alvarez 4, Gonzales 4, Williams 3, Cortez 3, Billones 0, Yee 0.

Quarters: 21-20, 44-39, 70-62, 92-87.

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