San Miguel Beermen Basketball Updates

Photo Credit: PBA.PH

After failing to finish the last two games due to foul trouble and cramps, Gabriel Freeman finally completed a game with the San Miguel Beermen, even during the overtime period as they outlasted a fierce Talk N Text Tropang Texters, 112-106 at the Araneta Coliseum.

I enjoyed watching the game with the Beermen taking control most of the time. I somehow get mad when players assigned to guard Ranidel De Ocampo did not stick to him like glue when he started hitting his outside shots. And oh yeah, he even hit the game-extending three pointer. Anyways, he was simply unstoppable in this game. Thank God, he was not 100% in overtime together with Harvey Carey due to cramps.

Below are some of my other observations in this game:

1. Seems like Alex Cabagnot is taking the lead guard for San Miguel from former starter Jonas Villanueva. And why would coach Siot do that? Simple. He is playing well (yes, even in crunch time) and distributing the ball well that makes his team mates look good on the court.

2. Arwind Santos has finally gotten back his rhytm. Its good that he is again contributing on offense and he is defending his player well.

3. Veterans Danny Ildefonso and Danny Seigle did not play. Well, we might as well get used to this scenario to make way for the younger guys to play. Come playoff time, the two Danny’s will always be there to help the Beermen give stability and veteran smarts.

4. Denok Miranda did not hog the ball (in Tagalog, hindi nagbakaw si Denok Miranda). Good to see him just distribute the ball and don’t make any non-sense play of his own.

5. What I can ask for the Beermen is to tighten their defense so that opposing teams will have a hard time cutting down our lead during crunch time.

6. Its a given that Gabriel Freeman is a MONSTER in rebounding and hussle plays. But have you noticed his big improvements in his perimeter shooting? How many can you count in this game?

I think that’s all for me. Know more of what happened in this report from the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA.PH).

SMB OUTLASTS TNT IN OT

Wed, 03/31/2010 – 22:45

Cramping out in their last game Saturday, Gabe Freeman returned with a flourish, stepping up as San Miguel Beer beat out Talk n Text in their fierce Holy Wednesday showdown at the Araneta Coliseum.

Freeman churned out 29 points and 22 rebounds and drew tremendous support from four teammates as the Beermen outlasted the Tropang Texters, 112-106, in overtime to gain solo second in the 2010 PBA Fiesta Conference.

Dondon Hontiveros, Jay Washington, Arwind Santos and Alex Cabagnot were locals who helped big as San Miguel became the first team in light-colored uniform to win a game in the season-ending tourney.

Hontiveros added 21 points, Washington chipped in 18 points, five rebounds and three assists, Santos contributed 13 points and five rebounds while Cabagnot shared 12 points and eight points.

The Beermen outlasted the Texters in a furious battle, seizing solo second with a 2-1 win-loss records before the league takes a brief break in observance of the Lenten season.

The tourney resumes on Easter Sunday with Barako Coffee and Rain or Shine slugging it out at 4 p.m. before Barangay Ginebra and Coca-Cola clash at 6:30 p.m.

“We wanted to come out. We knew we needed to regroup as a team, and I think we did a good job out there tonight,” said Freeman.

“At least nakabawi after our poor game versus Coca-Cola (in Gingoog, Misamis Oriental last Saturday). Actually dalawang sunod na masamang laro yon,” said San Miguel coach Siot Tanquingcen.

“We’re a work in progress and hopefully we’ll be able to fast track it. With two new recruits (Alex Cabagnot and Joseph Yeo), nagkakapaan ang team,” Tangquincen added.

Talk n Text sent the game into overtime on a triple by Ranidel de Ocampo but the Texters lost just the same on a woeful 5-of-10 free-throw shooting in the extension play.

The Texters slid to joint fifth place with the Air21 Express and the Barako Energy Coffee Masters on their identical 1-2 marks.

The Beermen opened the overtime with a 6-1 tear and held on to the lead to the finish.

Going down the drain was De Ocampo’s heckuva game laced with 28 points, four rebounds and two assists.

Harvey Carey had a double-double game with 20 points and 11 rebounds with Jimmy Alapag adding 17 points, three assists and two rebounds.

Import Shawn Daniels continued to concentrate on manning the boards, grabbing 15 rebounds but putting in only 16 points. He was 2-of-7 from the stripe. (SB)

The scores:

San Miguel 112 – Freeman 29, Hontiveros 21, Washington 18, Santos 13, Cabagnot 12, Villanueva 6, Pennisi 6, Yeo 4, Pena 3, Miranda 0.

Talk N’ Text 106 – De Ocampo 28, Carey 20, Alapag 17, Daniels 16, Castro 10, Cardona 9, Yee 6, Dillinger 0, Aban 0, Isip 0, Belasco 0.

Quarterscores: 28-25, 55-51, 76-73, 112-106

1. Arwind Santos Explodes as San Miguel Dumps Ginebra Gin Kings Photo Credit: PBA.PH April 18, 2010 – The San Miguel Beermen squad is improving game after game and they...
2. Chico Lanete Explodes as Coca-Cola Tigers Devours San Miguel Beermen Photo Credit: PBA.PH It was the second time that import Gabe Freeman went out of the playing court but...
3. Gabe Freeman Dominates as San Miguel Beermen Beats BMEG Derby Ace Llamados, Gains Finals Berth Photo Credit: PBA.PH With the semifinals series on the line, the San Miguel Beermen put on a determined stand...
4. Danny Ildefonso, Alex Cabagnot Shine as San Miguel Beermen Gets Back at Alaska Aces Photo Credit: PBA.PH April 11, 2010 – No import – no problem! The San Miguel Beermen pulled another All-Filipino...
5. Gabe Freeman To Win Back to Back Best Import Award? Yes, It’s Possible! Photo Credit: PBA.PH With the way Gabe Freeman plays this conference, there’s no doubt that he has a strong...