San Miguel Beermen Basketball Updates

Photo Credit: PBA.PH

April 18, 2010 – The San Miguel Beermen squad is improving game after game and they showed it tonight as they dump the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings, 102-94. Best player of the game Arwind Santos lead the Beermen charge with 24 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 steals. The win gave the Beermen their fourth straight win and a 5-1 solo leadership in the team standings.

The Beermen jump the gun on the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings right after the opening bell as they blew them 29-10 at the end of the first quarter through stiffling defense and torrid shooting lead by Alex Cabagnot, Dondon Hontiveros, Arwind Santos, and Gabe Freeman. The Gin Kings were repeatedly frustrated on failed attempts to penetrate by getting blocked by Dondon and Alex. San Miguel ends the first quarter with a 29-10 lead.

Barangay Ginebra managed to cut San Miguel’s lead late in the second quarter behind Jayjay Helterbrand, Willy Wilson, and Cyrus Baguio. Baguio was unstoppable in that period when Jonas Villanueva and Denok Miranda failed to contain him. Unfortunately for Ginebra, import Awvee Storey picked up his third personal and was seated most of the time leaving the locals to take charge. San Miguel Beermen still have the upper hand at the close of the second quarter, 50-40.

The third quarter showcased Alex Cabagnot’s prowess when he outclassed Celino Cruz and Jayjay Helterbrand in their matchups – scoring on jump shots, hustling for loose balls, and orchestrating the plays. San Miguel’s lead again grew to as much as 20 points in this period but a late rally by Ginebra brought the lead again back to 10 at 80-70. Awvee Storey collected his 5th personal foul in this junction.

Ginebra gained momentum from their third quarter run as they close in as near as 6 points early in the fourth period. However, they were stopped from their tracks as import Awvee Storey fouled out in the game. The Gin Kings came as close as 3 points but Arwind Santos came to the rescue with a booming three point shot and a crucial steal. Import Gabe Freeman provided another stellar performance with his boundless energy on the floor.

Overall, this is the best game of the San Miguel Beermen this conference so far. Certainly, their chemistry is slowly improving. I’m also glad that Arwind Santos‘ game is getting back where it left off last conference both on the offensive and defensive ends of the court.

The full news story is provided by the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA.PH) below:

SAN MIGUEL TIGHTENS GRIP ON TOP SPOT
Sun, 04/18/2010 – 22:13

In the grand culmination of the league’s weeklong anniversary celebration, the PBA paid tribute to some of its stars and founding fathers then San Miguel Beer and Barangay Ginebra provided a fitting climax figuring in a battle.

The Beermen outfought the Kings, hacking out a 102-94 win to firm up their hold of the solo lead in the 2010 PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum last night.

Gabe Freeman piled up 25 points and 18 rebounds with Arwind Santos and Dondon Hontiveros combining for 43 points, 12 rebounds, five steals and three assists as the Beermen continued to get going, notching a fourth straight win.

With Alex Cabagnot and Ildefonso also providing a push, the Beermen led by as many as 20 points but still faced a tough challenge from the Kings in the payoff period.

“It was not easy. Far from it,” said San Miguel coach Siot Tanquingcen on their victory. “Iba talaga ang Ginebra. Pumikit ka lang, pagdilat mo yung malaking lamang mo ubos na,” Tanquingcen added.

Awvee Storey, Ronald Tubid and Cyrus Baguio fueled Ginebra’s mighty comeback that had the Kings charging to within three, 91-94, from the depth of a 20-point deficit, 51-71.

Though Storey fouled out with over six minutes left to play, the Kings didn’t give up easily. The Beermen eventually settled the outcome of the game on a 6-0 roll by Santos and Freeman giving San Miguel a 100-91 lead with time down to 1:15.

“We’re happy we’re on a roll. But we have long ways to go,” said Tanquingcen after they nailed a fifth win in six starts. “Offensively, I think we have improved. Pero defensively, we’re still a work in progress,” Tanquingcen added.

Failing to complete what could have been a huge come-from-behind win, the Kings slid to joint fourth place with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters at 3-2. Tubid had 17 points to pace the losing team that drew meager numbers from Storey because of early fouls.

The Ginebra import struggled with a 6-of-16 field goal shooting and 2-of-5 foul shots for 14 points on only 25 minutes of action.

The Beermen got off to a big start, taking the first quarter at 29-10, but the Kings waged a fight and made the game closer, 40-50, at the half. (SB)

The scores:
San Miguel 102 – Freeman 25, Santos 24, Hontiveros 19, Cabagnot 16, Ildefonso 8, Yeo 4, Villanueva 3, Washington 3, Miranda 0, Pennisi 0, Pena 0.

Ginebra 94 – Tubid 17, Storey 14, Baguio 14, Menk 10, Wilson 9, Caguioa 9, De Ocampo 6, Cruz 5, Hatfield 5, Helterbrand 3, Villanueva 2.

Quarterscores: 29-10, 50-40, 80-70, 102-94

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