Beermen eye 11th in row

MANILA, Philippines - Red-hot San Miguel Beermen seek to stretch their record run in the Asean Basketball League (ABL) to 11 straight wins tonight against Sports Rev Thailand Slammers but will have to do so without injured gunner Chris Banchero.

Fil-Italian Banchero suffered a tendon tear on his left quadriceps in the Beermen’s 80-62 demolition over the Westports Malaysia Dragons and will miss out action for two to three weeks, beginning in SMB’s 7 p.m. (8 p.m. in Manila) road game against the Slammers (6-11).

Banchero leaves big shoes to fill in as he accounts for 16.4 points and 4.9 assists per outing for the pacesetting Beermen (13-3). 

“We will miss Banchero’s scoring, playmaking skills and leadership,” said coach Leo Austria, whose wards are riding the crest of the longest winning streak in the league.

“We need our guards to step up not only starting in tonight’s game but in the coming weeks,” he added.

Banchero will be back on duty on May 17 yet, in SMB’s last assignment in the elims against the Dragons in Kuala Lumpur, and in between, the big responsibility will fall on Paolo Hubalde and Jeric Fortuna.

“Paolo and Jeric are both experienced players. I am confident that they can provide leadership and help us execute the system both in offense and defense,” said Austria, who also counts on reigning MVP Leo Avenido, Val Acuna and RJ Rizada to rise to the occasion.

Up front, the Beermen are loaded with imports Justin Williams and Brian Williams and veteran Asi Taulava, who is coming off a 26-point performance, taking care of business inside, and Hans Thiele and Erik Menk providing abled support.

For SMB, the goal remains the same - get the top spot going to the playoffs.

“The streak is there but we have to make sure we end up at first place after May 17. Aside from that, we have to give confidence to our other players so that we will be battle-ready for the playoffs,” Austria said.

Christien Charles, Darrius Brannon and ex-Beerman Froilan  Baguion lead the Slammers, who are out to end a two-game slide.