(From PBA)
SAN Miguel Beer coach Siot Tanquingcen maintains his team is still a work in progress.
It sure looks headed in the right direction after it got off a 92-87 win over Air21 Wednesday in the PBA Fiesta Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
Reigning Best Import awardee Gabe Freeman and debuting Keena Young of the Express matched numbers with 23 points and 21 each, so it was up to the local Beermen to provide the much-needed support.
None shone the brightest than Jay Washington, who finished with 19 points and seven rebounds, as well as the game's biggest block on Beau Belga in the last 11 seconds that proved to be the most crucial.
That shot denial led to a fastbreak layup by Alex Cabagnot, insuring SMB's win as it forged what would prove to be the final count in the final 6.2 seconds.
While admitting it is a good start, Tanquingcen still can't help but be disgruntled by the fact his team almost blew an 83-70 lead and be threatened at 88-87, on Young's four straight charities, still 1:11 to go.
“We've got a long ways to go,” said Tanquingcen of his team that has acquired Cabagnot and Joseph Yeo after winding up third in the Philippine Cup.
“Everybody knows teamwork doesn't take overnight to achieve, gradual 'yun and sometimes it takes years,” he added.
“Kaya nga it's always a good thing to start out with a win, pero kapaan pa rin.”
Ronjay Buenafe and Belga each wound up with at least 12 points each, but Air21 still failed to fully capitalize on Freeman fouling out with still 2:22 left.
Ronnie Matias lent a big hand to Young in the payoff period, scoring seven of his nine points aside from drawing the last two Freemaan fouls.
Defense helping decide the outcome became apparent after Washington's charities made it a three-point game in the last 11 seconds. Despite burning two straight timeouts, the Air21 players could not follow coach Yeng Guiao's instructions for a quick two and Belga was the only one freed up, although his triple try was deemed too hurriedly taken.
Freeman went to work early, already flirting with his double-double as early as the first half with 12 points and nine boards.
Washington, Mick Pennisi and Dorian Pena were the main supporters as the Beermen steadily peeled off by taking as much as a 38-29 lead, only to have the Express narrow it down to 39-44 at the half.
There was no let-up from Freeman's energy as the game progressed as he added another 11 points and nine rebounds in the third period to lead SMB's charge to a 70-62 lead into the fourth.
Cabagnot and Pena also played key roles, one ably orchestrating plays while scattering five points and the latter drawing the bigger bodies to draw the inside defenders and helping free up the lanes for Freeman.
All those fueled SMB's drive to several 13-point spreads, the last at 83-70 on a corner triple by Washington.
Still, Air21 kept coming back.
The scores:
San miguel 92 - Freeman 23, Washington 19, Cabagnot 13, Pena 12, Pennisi 9, Santos 4, Hontiveros 4, Yeo 3, Miranda 3, Villanueva 2, Ildefonso 0.
Air21 87 - Young 23, Buenafe 13, Belga 12, Matias 9, Ritualo 8, Kramer 4, Sharma 4, Alvarez 4, Gonzales 4, Williams 3, Cortez 3, Billones 0, Yee 0.
Quarters: 21-20, 44-39, 70-62, 92-87.
SAN Miguel Beer coach Siot Tanquingcen maintains his team is still a work in progress.
It sure looks headed in the right direction after it got off a 92-87 win over Air21 Wednesday in the PBA Fiesta Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
Reigning Best Import awardee Gabe Freeman and debuting Keena Young of the Express matched numbers with 23 points and 21 each, so it was up to the local Beermen to provide the much-needed support.
None shone the brightest than Jay Washington, who finished with 19 points and seven rebounds, as well as the game's biggest block on Beau Belga in the last 11 seconds that proved to be the most crucial.
That shot denial led to a fastbreak layup by Alex Cabagnot, insuring SMB's win as it forged what would prove to be the final count in the final 6.2 seconds.
While admitting it is a good start, Tanquingcen still can't help but be disgruntled by the fact his team almost blew an 83-70 lead and be threatened at 88-87, on Young's four straight charities, still 1:11 to go.
“We've got a long ways to go,” said Tanquingcen of his team that has acquired Cabagnot and Joseph Yeo after winding up third in the Philippine Cup.
“Everybody knows teamwork doesn't take overnight to achieve, gradual 'yun and sometimes it takes years,” he added.
“Kaya nga it's always a good thing to start out with a win, pero kapaan pa rin.”
Ronjay Buenafe and Belga each wound up with at least 12 points each, but Air21 still failed to fully capitalize on Freeman fouling out with still 2:22 left.
Ronnie Matias lent a big hand to Young in the payoff period, scoring seven of his nine points aside from drawing the last two Freemaan fouls.
Defense helping decide the outcome became apparent after Washington's charities made it a three-point game in the last 11 seconds. Despite burning two straight timeouts, the Air21 players could not follow coach Yeng Guiao's instructions for a quick two and Belga was the only one freed up, although his triple try was deemed too hurriedly taken.
Freeman went to work early, already flirting with his double-double as early as the first half with 12 points and nine boards.
Washington, Mick Pennisi and Dorian Pena were the main supporters as the Beermen steadily peeled off by taking as much as a 38-29 lead, only to have the Express narrow it down to 39-44 at the half.
There was no let-up from Freeman's energy as the game progressed as he added another 11 points and nine rebounds in the third period to lead SMB's charge to a 70-62 lead into the fourth.
Cabagnot and Pena also played key roles, one ably orchestrating plays while scattering five points and the latter drawing the bigger bodies to draw the inside defenders and helping free up the lanes for Freeman.
All those fueled SMB's drive to several 13-point spreads, the last at 83-70 on a corner triple by Washington.
Still, Air21 kept coming back.
The scores:
San miguel 92 - Freeman 23, Washington 19, Cabagnot 13, Pena 12, Pennisi 9, Santos 4, Hontiveros 4, Yeo 3, Miranda 3, Villanueva 2, Ildefonso 0.
Air21 87 - Young 23, Buenafe 13, Belga 12, Matias 9, Ritualo 8, Kramer 4, Sharma 4, Alvarez 4, Gonzales 4, Williams 3, Cortez 3, Billones 0, Yee 0.
Quarters: 21-20, 44-39, 70-62, 92-87.
