Beermen tap Yap, face Slammers

MANILA, Philippines - Former B-MEG standout Roger Yap brings his act to the ASEAN Basketball League as he heads the San Miguel Beermen against the Chang Slammers of Thailand today at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

“Roger will be very valuable to the team as he is a veteran player who can play both point guard and shooting guard positions, that’s really what we need,” said SMB coach Bobby Parks of Yap, plucked out of the B-MEG team in the PBA to backstopped the Beermen’s campaign in the import-laced, regional pro league.

“More importantly, he is tough and we’re hoping it would rub off to the other players,” Parks said.

Gametime is at 6 p.m.

San Miguel is currently at third spot with a 7-3 (win-loss) slate, just behind joint leaders AirAsia Phl Patriots and Malaysian Dragons, who tote 7-2 records.

The Beermen downed the Slammers, 68-59, in their first meeting last Jan. 29 but the latter had earlier undergone major changes, acquiring Filipino reinforcements JP Alcaraz, Earn Saguindel and Raymond Aguilar. The Slammers beat the Bangkok Cobras, 86-76, in their last outing.

The Slammers, with a 4-6 card, have also changed imports, tapping Chaz Briggs and Demetrius Proby while taking in a new coach in Felton Sealey.

“It will definitely be different this time with their new players. With two new Americans and three new Filipinos, they can beat any team in the league right now,” said Yap, a four-time PBA All Star, will join imports Jarrid Famous and Dalron Johnson and locals Leo Avenido, Benedict Fernandez and June Mar Fajardo.

GMA International, meanwhile, recently acquired the rights to broadcast the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) 2012 via GMA Network’s third international channel, GMA News TV International.

 ABL Season 3 will air on weekends, beginning March 17, via GMA News TV International.