Things looking up for Beermen

With ace gunner Danny Seigle regaining his eyesight, things look bright again for the San Miguel Beermen.

Seigle returned with a bang from a bout with eye injury, and the Beermen dwarfed the Purefoods Chunkee Giants, 100-81, to move up to fourth place in the Talk n Text PBA Philippine Cup at the Olivarez Gym in Parañaque yesterday.

The 6-foot-7 Fil-Am forward scored a game-high 24 points, including 12 straight in a telling 18-7 run San Miguel unleashed in the third period to cut loose from a tight contest.

The Beermen, who also drew significant numbers from Dorian Peña, Rommel Adducul, Lordy Tugade and Dondon Hontiveros, broke away from a 41-40 halftime edge en route to their seventh win in 12 outings.

San Miguel swapped places with Purefoods as the Beermen improved to fourth place behind the Sta. Lucia Realtors (9-3), the Red Bull Barakos (8-4) and the Barangay Ginebra Kings (8-4). The Giants slid to fifth place at 7-6.

The Realtors firmed up their hold of the lead as they thwarted the Air21 Express’ daring rally from the depth of a 31-point deficit in the nightcap.

Sta. Lucia escaped with a 112-110 win as Ranidel de Ocampo missed two game-tying attempts in the closing seconds.

Seigle’s return spelled a big difference for the Beermen who struck hard all over the floor in the final half.

They went 8-of-23 from the three-point land compared to the Giants’ paltry 2-of-9 three-point shooting. San Miguel also lorded it over the boards with 53 rebound against Purefoods’ 42.

Actually, the Beermen posted an early double-digit spread at 14-4 but the Giants picked up their game in the second period and closed in at 40-41 at halftime.

The count was still close at 46-42 before the Beermen worked on a vicious assault and erected a 15-point bulge at 64-49. Seigle scored 12 straight points on that attack capped by a slam by Hontiveros.

Seigle totaled 14 points in that quarter which ended at 71-58 for the Beermen.

San Miguel gained headway early on as the Beermen shot 50 percent from the field in the first quarter. The Giants, on the other hand, hit at a 33-percent clip.

Peña took care of things at the paint and the gentle giant finished with 21 points. Adducul had his contribution inside, making 11 points.