Thunder rip raw US pro-am five

The US Pro-Am Selection came out with a lot of grit, spunk and fighting spirit but simply paled in comparison to Red Bull Barako in playing the game.

The Thunder overcame a conference-worst 45.7-percent free throw shooting as they whipped the visiting American cagers, 101-91, for a guaranteed playoff crack at the Gran Matador PBA Fiesta Conference semifinals at the Araneta Coliseum last night.

"Naaamoy na namin ang semis," said coach Yeng Guiao as the Thunder moved in the threshold of the crossover best-of-three round on a second straight win following a 96-89 upset of the top-seeded San Miguel Beermen Wednesday.

The Photokina Marketing franchise gains outright entry into the semis if Talk n Text beats the US Pro-Am Selection Wednesday.

Guiao isn’t ruling out a win by the Mail & More-backed guest squad versus Talk n Text, thinking the Americans — formed by US-based Filipino agent Melchor "Choy" Layon just for this tourney — struggled in their first game together.

"This team showed natural chemistry. If they had more time to practice together and acquaint with one another, they would give PBA teams a tough time," said Guiao of the Americans.

Though arriving only Saturday and practicing just once yesterday morning, the Americans, handled by University of Massachusett-Boston assistant coach Malcolm Smith, got off to a good start but slowly faded away as the game wore on.

The Thunder pounded the Americans’ poor 34.3-percent field-goal shooting with the team’s big men doing much of the damage as they sustained their searing run that started on their epic come-from-behind win over the Shell Turbochargers in the wildcard plays.

"Ang feeling namin blessing iyung panalo namin sa Shell at marami pang magandang panalong kasunod," said Homer Se, who had a break-out game in the conference, leading the local scorers with 20 points on 10-of-11 shooting. The fierce-fighting Visayan player also pulled down seven rebounds and issued one assist.

Barangay Ginebra likewise assured itself of a playoff for a semis slot as the Kings routed the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds, 110-79, in the nightcap.

"It’s a good experience if we make it to the semis. But even if we make it, the job is not yet done," said Ginebra coach Siot Tanquingcen.