MANILA, Philippines - San Miguel Beer made it safely to the semifinals with two weeks to go in the KFC PBA Philippine Cup double-round elimination phase.
The Beermen imposed their will on the Barako Bull Energy Boosters early and completed a 94-85 victory at the Cuneta Astrodome last night to formalize their entry into the Final Four.
Arwind Santos and Mike Cortez produced big numbers while Dondon Hontiveros delivered the crucial baskets at the stretch as the Beermen rolled past the Boosters and into the semis.
San Miguel, with a 13-3 win-loss card, is now assured of at least No. 2 spot even if it drops its last two games against Coca-Cola and Talk n Text.
SMB coach Siot Tanquingcen, however, stressed they intend to sustain their charge in preparation for the playoffs.
“We can’t be satisfied with the semis. That’s the first goal and now we have to look at a higher objective. We have to figure out how to stay sharp as I’m sure the wildcard and the quarters will drag on,” said Tanquingcen.
Santos, a strong contender for the Best Player of the Conference award, had another remarkable performance against the Boosters, churning out 29 points and 12 rebounds. In their first meeting, the 6-foot-4 former FEU sentinel exploded with a career-best 33 points.
Joseph Yeo put in a personal season-best 31 points while Kelly Williams had a double-double job with 17 rebounds and 15 points as Sta. Lucia Realty turned back Burger King, 83-79, to tighten up the race for the three outright semifinal berths.
Yeo poured in the bulk of his output in the second half as the Realtors outlasted the Whoppers in their gripping battle, tying the Purefoods Giants at fifth place on 9-6 records.
Alex Cabagnot and Wesley Gonzales had decent showings in their first game in a BK jersey but their efforts went to naught as the Whoppers reeled to an 11th loss in 16 games.
Cabagnot and Gonzales combined for 30 points in the game marred by the ejection by BK coach Yeng Guiao in the closing seconds on technical infractions.
“I’m not inspired to play in particular against Barako Bull. I just want to play well in each game in the hope of finally winning a PBA championship. I’m the only player on my team without a championship,” said Santos.
Cortez and Hontiveros also made an impact as the Beermen kept the Boosters in the cellar in handing them their 11th straight defeat.
With a 2-13 slate, Barako Bull is now a full game behind ninth placer Coca-Cola (3-12).
The Boosters’ last three games are against the Talk n Text Texters tomorrow, the SLR Realtors the following Sunday and the Coca-Cola Tigers on Jan. 20.
The Beermen came out smoking in their first game in over two weeks, erecting a 22-point spread right in the opening quarter.
The Boosters launched repeated comeback attempts but the Beermen hung tough with Hontiveros coming through with clutch baskets that thwarted the last of Barako’s uprisings.
Hontiveros, who finished with 10 points, nailed back-to-back jumpers, making it 93-83 with a minute left to play.
Ogie Menor, Jojo Duncil and Aris Dimaunahan struck for the Boosters as they pounced on crucial miscues by SMB to rally to within four, 41-45, towards the end of the first half.
The Beermen took the half at 47-41 before working on another searing assault to break the game open again at 63-46.
The scores: First Game
San Miguel 94 - Santos 29, Cortez 18, Washington 15, Hontiveros 10, Villanueva 7, Miranda 7, Custodio 4, Pena 3, Tugade 1, Eman 0, Racela 0, Pennisi 0.
Barako Bull 85 - Menor 16, Duncil 16, Dimaunahan 16, Crisano 11, Reyes 8, Aljamal 7, Hubalde 4, Belano 3, Alonzo 2, Najorda 2, Faundo 0, Lao 0.
Quarterscores: 32-10, 47-41, 74-62, 94-85