All-conquering Beermen add Warriors to list of ABL victims

MANILA, Philippines - The number “13” on a Friday didn’t turn out to be unlucky for San Miguel as the Beermen nipped Indonesia Warriors, 70-66, to post their 13th straight win and clinch the top semis spot in the Asean Basketball League last night at Ynares Sports Arena.

The Beermen stormed to an early double-digit spread then quashed the Warriors’ late uprising to stretch their unbeaten run and with a 16-3 win-loss card assured themselves of the No. 1 seed and home-court advantage in the playoffs.

Brian Williams and Val Acuña rifled in 15 points apiece to lead the scoring for SMB while Asi Taulava added 12, including two clutch free throws that sealed it for the Beermen.

“It was our defense that has keyed this winning streak. We struggled a bit in our first six games (3-3) but when we got our defensive rhythm we start winning,” said Williams, who also grabbed eight rebounds.

Coming off a rather disappointing win over Saigon, the Beermen sought to win big against the very team that denied them of the crown last year.

With Acuña firing five triples, San Miguel raced to their biggest spread at 40-23 in the first half.

But the Warriors, behind treys from Pinoy guard Jeric Cañada, went to within a hairline in the fourth, 66-67 with still 56 seconds left.

After swapping unproductive offensives, the Beermen got the opportunity to put more distance between them and the Warriors when Taulava was sent to the line. 

The 40-year-old veteran knocked down both to restore a three-point spread, 7.6 ticks left.

San Miguel then forced Indonesia to a missed shot and grabbed the rebound, resulting in a split by Paolo Hubalde for the final count.

The Warriors, who were led by Steven Thomas (18) and comebacking Stanley Pringle (15) dropped to 13-6.