Two wins augur well for SMB’s title quest

With San Miguel Beer nailing its second straight win in the season at the expense of Sta. Lucia Realty last night, coach Jong Uichico readily agreed they have the potential to win the franchise’s first All-Filipino crown in eight years.

Uichico became optimistic of their chances for the league’s most coveted championship a week into the tournament as his Beermen turned back the tall Sta. Lucia team which he thought could emerge as among the top title contenders.

The Beermen cut down to size Marlou Aquino and company, 89-76, for their second successive victory following a 92-88 drubbing of the Barangay Ginebra Kings last Wednesday.

"I can see we have the potential to win the All-Filipino. And because of my team’s rich experience, I thought we have a better chance of winning it this time although I think we’ll find a lot of problems against tall teams, including Sta. Lucia, Red Bull and Purefoods," said Uichico.

Versus Sta. Lucia which featured five players standing no less than 6-foot-5, San Miguel did a methodical job in getting the rebounds as the Beermen kept their streak dating back to their conquest of the Governors Cup last year.

Nic Belasco and Dan Seigle both came up with sterling double-double performances with the former tallying 19 points and 11 rebounds and the latter logging 16 points and 10 rebounds.

Seigle and Espino held their ground offensively and defensively against Aquino and Dennis Espino as the Beermen handed the Realtors their second straight loss in the season. Sta. Lucia suffered an 84-91 beating at the hands of Alaska in the season opener.

"We’re able to contain Marlou and Dennis and that was a key factor in this game. (Jercules) Tangkay got his points maybe because I took him for granted. Pero importante iyung na-contain namin si Marlou at Dennis," said Uichico.

Tangkay went 3-of-6 from the three-point area and paced Sta. Lucia with 17 points with Aquino limited to nine points and Espino to a single field-goal basket.

Despite the meager productions of Aquino and Espino, the Realtors actually kept the game close in the first half.

However, the Beermen made a big run starting the third quarter and sustained their torrid attack until the end.

Seigle, who went 1-of-7 from the field in the first half, kept on attacking the hoop and became instrumental in their third-quarter breakaway as he hit seven in a decisive 12-0 run that had San Miguel darting away at 65-53.

The Beermen lorded it over the boards, 51-39.