SMB spoils Taulava return, takes Game 1

San Miguel Beer more than held its own against a Talk n Text squad beefed up by the return of Asi Taulava, carving out a 74-66 victory in Game One of their Gran Matador PBA Fiesta Cup best-of-seven title playoff at the Araneta Coliseum last night.

The Beermen simply dismissed Taulava’s comeback, sustaining the highly competitive games they displayed in ousting the Red Bull Barakos in their semifinals duel.

Obviously playing with physical and mental toughness, San Miguel dominated Talk n Text and made a statement early in the long championship grind.

Taulava returned to play after a nine-month suspension but the Phone Pals failed to hit their stride and practically groped for form and rhythmn with their prized behemot back in action.

"Taulava’s return could be a major factor.H was a way for a long time and it took them sometime to get their rhythm," said San Miguel coach Jong Uichico.

"But Game Two would be a different game. I’m sure they will make the proper adjustments and will get more adjusted with Taulava," Uichico added. "No time to celebrate. But it’s always good to win the series opener."

The Phone Pals struggled in the contest and ended up with their lowest output since an 63-82 loss to the Alaska Aces during the All-Filipino Cup quarterfinals in 2002. It was the team’s lowest output under coach Joel Banal.

Taulava played nearly the entire two middle quarters, bleeding for eight points and five rebounds.

Unable to get into the groove with Taulava on the floor, coach Joel Banal opted to play with his old rotation in the fourth quarter to no avail.

Trailing by 14 points at 50-64, the Phone Pals drew within seven at 60-67 with 5:13 to go on a searing attack anchored by Mark Telan, Jimmy Alapag and Jerald Honeycutt.

But the Beermen later dragged the Phone Pals into a tough defensive battle as the two teams both went scoreless for over four minutes.

It was practically all over for Talk n Text when Honeycutt broke their long silence with a free throw making it 61-69 with time down to 55.9 seconds.

"We played a pretty good defense. Hopefully, we sustain that kind of defense throughout the series. If we do, we have a good chance in winning the championship.

Ace Custis easily emerged the game’s best player, churning out 22 points and 16 rebounds.

As expected, Custis gave San Miguel the advantage on individual match-ups, shining in the first half with 14 points and seven rebounds.

Largely on Custis’ exploits, the Beermen took a 23-14 lead at the end of the opening quarter and a 37-31 margin at halftime.

With Banal finally fielding in Taulava in the second period, Uichico matched up with Dorian Pena who made his presence felt, making four crucial points in the last 50 seconds of the quarter.

Jerald Honeycutt was curiously missing in the equation in the first half, hitting only six points and committing five errors.