olsen-racela

Photo Credit: PBA.ph

Falling behind by as much as 19 points, the San Miguel Beermen fought gallantly in the third quarter and smashed the Sta. Lucia Realtors, 98-92 in the 2009 Motolite PBA Fiesta Conference behind the excellent quarterbacking of veteran point guard Olsen Racela.

It was the 5th straight win of the Beermen this conference despite playing without its fancied stars. San Miguel gave Sta. Lucia a dose of its own medicine by playing tough defense in the third period and at the same time getting hot on the offensive end.

The scoring was again evenly distributed with several locals contributing significant points. Olsen Racela’s stellar game was highlighted by 15 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists.

Enjoy the rest of this exciting win in the news from the Philippine Basketball Association (pba.ph).

SAN MIGUEL STAYS UNSCATHED
Beermen rely on big finish to thwart SLR
Thursday, 19 March 2009

San Miguel Beer went through a wringer but survived, making it 5-of-5 in the Motolite PBA Fiesta Conference with a 98-92 decision over Sta. Lucia Realty Thursday night at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

The Beermen gallantly clawed their way back from the depth of 19-point deficits in the third quarter then went to Dondon Hontiveros for the clutch shots at the finish, completing the come-from-behind victory that kept their unbeaten run in the season-ending tourney.

Hontiveros banged in a booming triple and nailed a free throw in the last 23 seconds to clinch the win that stretched the Beermen’s searing run to five games.

Trailing most of the first three quarters, the Beermen shifted to zone defense to stymie Sta. Lucia’s searing offense.

San Miguel stormed upfront, 69-62, at the end of the third period and hung tough to the finish in dealing Sta. Lucia a second loss against three wins.

Before the game, San Miguel and Sta. Lucia were the hottest teams in the tourney with the Beermen on a four-game romp and the Realtors on a three-game roll.

It appeared the Realtors would keep their run going as they started strong and enjoyed 19-point spreads at 53-34 and 62-34.

But the Beermen won’t give up.

The Beermen held the Realtors scoreless in the last five minutes of the third period to sway the tide in their favor going into the fourth quarter.

San Miguel surged ahead to stay at 95-92 on a three-pointer by Hontiveros with 23 ticks left to play.

Sta. Lucia eventually yielded the game as Joseph Yeo was called for an offensive foul on Jay Washington after the Hontiveros trey.

Hontiveros and Gabe Freeman converted three straight charities in the closing seconds for the final count.

Freeman scored 25 points and got 12 rebounds as against Anthony Johnson’s 17 points and 11 rebounds.

Hontiveros and Olsen Racela added 17 and 15 points, respectively, for the Beermen.

The Realtors dominated the first half, sitting on a 44-34 cushion at the turn with Kelly Williams leading their assault with 13 points.

Second-string forward Norman Gonzales scored eight straight points to highlight a key run opening up a 40-31 lead for Sta. Lucia from a 26-all count.

Marlou Aquino made all of his seven points in the first quarter ending in their favor at 21-19. (NC)

The scores:

San Miguel 98 — Freeman 24, Hontiveros 17, Racela 15, Vilanueva 9, Pennisi 8, Pena 8, Gonzales 7, Custodio 5, Washington 5.

Sta. Lucia 92 — Johnson 19, Williams 19, Gonzales 18, Reyes 9, Yeo 8, Miranda 7, Aquino 7, Mendoza 3, Espino 2, Coronel 0, Daa 0.

Quarterscores: 19-21, 34-44, 62-69, 98-92

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