Beermen close in on outright semis slot

MANILA, Philippines – San Miguel Beer bounced back from a setback to Rain or Shine with a 91-84 victory over Alaska Milk at the Araneta Coliseum last night to virtually clinch an outright semifinal berth in the Motolite PBA Fiesta Conference semifinal round. 

The Beermen made a decisive attack in the second quarter, opening an 18-point spread, then sustained their pace on their way to their ninth win against a lone loss and assuring themselves of at least a playoff for the second automatic semis slot.

San Miguel needs only to win one of its four remaining games to seal its entry into the semis.

The team’s last four assignments are Burger King tomorrow, Barako Bull Friday, Sta. Lucia Realty on May 17 and Coca-Cola on May 22.

“It may sound corny but we’re not yet thinking of the outright semis entry. In this game, all we wanted was to make sure we make things right. We wanted to continue playing the same way we’ve been playing,” said San Miguel coach Siot Tanquingcen.

“We knew it’s hard to play Alaska. It’s hard to score against them. So our idea was also to make things hard for them. I think the turning point was our crucial run in the second quarter,” Tanquingcen said.

The Aces took their eighth loss against four wins and are in danger of settling for ninth place where they would need to win two in a row in the first stage of the playoffs to make it to the next round.

The Aces actually mounted a rally in the second half but the Beermen hung tough, getting back on track after being beaten by the Elasto Painters, 82-78, in a road game in Leyte Saturday.

Olsen Racela, Jay Washington and Dondon Hontiveros rifled in a triple each in a 10-to-nothing run, giving the Beermen another comfortable margin at 89-76.

The Aces threatened for the last time at 84-89 with 1:39 left to play but they failed to score again the rest of the way.

Washington led all scorers with 19 with Gabe Freeman, Hontiveros and Racela each adding at least 11.

“It’s tough playing on the road. The atmosphere is different. But that’s not an excuse losing to Rain or Shine. We just took to heart that defeat,” said Washington as they redeemed themselves from their loss to Rain or Shine. – Nelson Beltran