MANILA, Philippines - Coming off a record-setting 101-49 rout of a badly-depleted Saigon side, pacesetting San Miguel Beer seeks to sustain its sizzling run and notch a 10th straight victory today as it hosts Westport Malaysia in the Asean Basketball League at Ynares Sports Arena.
The Beermen (12-3) take on the Dragons (9-7) at 5 p.m., looking to re-display the fiery form that enabled them to post a pair of league marks – the most lopsided winning margin of 52 points and the longest winning streak at nine games – against a Malaysian team that’s considerably tougher than the Saigon side they ran over two days ago.
SMB coach Leo Austria said their main concern at this point is to maintain their competitiveness heading into the playoffs in an effort to secure the coveted top seeding.
“Whether against a strong or weak team, our competitive fire should stay the same. We should run the system in offense and defense the way we planned it and the way it should be played,†said Austria, who’s beginning to give his second unit more playing time to get them ready for the post-season.
“We have to keep on winning. Our short term aim is to be No. 1 after the eliminations,†said Austria, whose team will next take on Thailand (April 24), Saigon Heat (April 27), Indonesia Warriors (May 3), Chang Thailand (May 11) and Westport Malaysia (May 17).
Last Wednesday night in Vietnam, the Beermen encountered no trouble at all in notching their 12th win in 15 outings to remain atop the field.
Veteran Asi Taulava pumped in a game-high 18 points in 17 minutes on the floor as all 12 men fielded in by coach Leo Austria got on the scoreboard against Saigon (3-12), which had only six active players at its disposal. Chris Banchero chipped in 12 points and six assists while imports Justin Williams and Brian Williams as well as Val Acuna added 11 apiece.
“52pts or 1pt... What’s important is the attitude that we have instilled with the San Miguel Beermen. Play to your level, never to that of your foes,†said San Miguel Corp. sports director Noli Eala after the Beermen’s win.
Oping Sumalinog, the Heat’s recruit from UAAP five-peat titlist Ateneo, led the way for the home side with 16 points and six rebounds.