Beermen seek finals against Malaysians

MANILA, Philippines - San Miguel Beer hopes to make it two-in-a-row against Westports Malaysia as it guns for the first championship berth in the third AirAsia ASEAN Basketball League today at the MABA Gym in Kuala Lumpur.

The Beermen scrambled past the Malaysians, 111-104, in overtime at the start of their best-of-three series at the Olivarez gym in Parañaque last week but they expect a tougher challenge from the hosts and the hostile crowd this time.

Gametime is at 4 p.m.

San Miguel is expected to use its height advantage to the hilt behind imports Nick Fazekas and Duke Crews and local Jun Mar Fajardo while Chris Banchero will man the point as they try to finish off the Dragons for the first seat in the finals.

“I felt we have advantage inside because our imports are big and we have Fajardo, “ said Parks, who drew 74 points inside the paint in the series’ opener.

The 6-10 Fajardo shot 11 points and hauled down six rebounds in only 10 minutes of action in Game One.

“His attitude is the best. He is the future big man of the Philippines,” Parks said of the Cebuano behemoth.

Banchero posted 18 points and 15 assists in the first game, making him a marked man in Game 2.

“We have to stop Banchero, he killed us (last time),” said Dragons coach Ariel Vanguardia, who also exhorted his locals Guga, John Ng and Loo She Faih to step up and back up imports Tiras Wade and Brian Williams and Pinoy Patrick Cabahug.

“We’ve already proven in Game 1 that we can play against the Beermen,” added the Filipino mentor.