Beermen gun for fifth win in row vs Heat

Games today (Tan Binh Stadium, Vietnam)

 2 p.m. (3 p.m. in Manila) – Thailand vs Singapore

4:30 p.m. (5:30 p.m. in Manila)  – San Miguel Beer vs Saigon Heat

7 p.m. (8 p.m. in Manila)  – Indonesia vs Malaysia

MANILA, Philippines - Fresh from a 20-point rout of Jobstreet.com Singapore Slingers, rampaging San Miguel Beermen gun for their fifth consecutive win today against home team Saigon Heat in the Asean Basketball League at Tan Binh Stadium.

The Beermen (7-3) take the court at 5:30 p.m. (Manila time) with revenge against the Heat (3-6) also on their sights. It was in the same Ho Chi Minh venue, where the Heat wiped out SMB’s 10-point lead to snatch a 92-89 triumph last January. SMB had later evened things up with the Heat via a 100-74 drubbing at Ynares.

San Miguel rides the momentum of a hot streak, their latest victory a 73-53 spanking of the Slingers last Friday. Anchored on imports Brian Williams and Justin Williams and veteran Asi Taulava, the Beermen unleashed their defensive might against Singapore, choking the Slingers to only eight points in the final canto to run away with the W.

“We’ve been playing good defense lately and the team’s morale is high,” said SMB coach Leo Austria.

A temporary sub for injured Gabe Freeman, Justin Williams spearheaded SMB’s defense by swatting away nine Singapore shots and grabbing 10 rebounds. The 6-foot-9 former Globalport import also scored seven points in his debut.

Brian Williams (15 points, 10 rebs) and Taulava (11 markers, 10 boards) played solid ball while Chris Banchero provided the offensive spark with 19 points,  five rebounds and five assists.

The Heat, on the other hand, are eager to arrest a harrowing five-game slump. The Vietnamese team used to occupy the top spot in the standings early with 3-1 but has dropped its succeeding assignments, including a 69-90 loss to Westports Malaysia Dragons last Friday.