Beermen overpower T’chargers

MALOLOS, Bulacan — San Miguel Beer shook off a listless start and unleashed decisive runs in the final half to overcome an undermanned but fighting Shell side, 81-73, in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Centrodome here last night.

Import Nate Johnson dished off another decent performance while Danny Ildefonso was at his usual self, leading the Beermen to their second straight win following their mighty conquest of the Purefoods Hotdogs Wednesday.

The Turbochargers took control in the first half although Juaquin Hawkins went scoreless in the opening 24 minutes of play.

But when the Beermen hit their stride, the Turbochargers faded away and suffered their first loss in two outings.

The obvious advantage San Miguel had in firepower came to fore as Olsen Racela’s three-point shot with 6:55 left in the third quarter gave the Beermen the lead, 47-44, which they never relinquished.

Rob Wainwright hit 20 points and Michael Hrabak added 14 for the Turbochargers who stayed at the coattails of the Beermen even until the halfway point of the third quarter before succumbing to manpower shortage in the continued absence of Benjie Paras and Gerry Esplana.

Worse, Hawkins was handicapped even before the first period came to a close, picking up his third foul with 2.2 seconds left and forcing coach Perry Ronquillo to use him sparingly the rest of the way.

Meanwhile, Jerod Ward has a promise to keep when he plays his second game in the local pro league versus Antonio Lang and the Red Bull Thunder today at the Araneta Coliseum.

All eyes will surely be on Ward in the 4:15 p.m. tiff as the Mobiline import made a rousing debut Wednesday against Barangay Ginebra, then promised even better performances in his next games.

Ginebra and Purefoods, who suffered stinging losses Wednesday, try to redeem themselves as they collide in the other game at 6:30.

Ward became the talk of the town instantly as the former Michigan Wolverine literally took the league by storm in his debut, erupting for 11 triples and 61 points to lead Mobiline past All-Filipino runner-up Ginebra.

He said he’ll come up with even bigger numbers as long as he enjoys playing the game here.

The question is whether he can still enjoy the game as he is likely a marked man now.

Against Red Bull, Ward is to face a defensive demon in Davonn Harp or possibly fellow import Antonio Lang, a legitimate NBA veteran who will be out to make up for a mediocre showing against Alaska in the tournament opener a week ago in Balanga, Bataan.