Tigers edge import-less Beermen on Mac's trey

MANILA, Philippines - Mark Macapagal banged away a three-pointer in the last 6.6 seconds and Coca-Cola completed a comeback from a 14-point deficit to nip San Miguel Beer, 89-86, in the PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum last night.

The Tigers made it two in a row with John Williamson in tow as they upended a San Miguel team playing with an all-Filipino crew for the second straight time.

In a bid to stir things up, San Miguel called on assistant coach Ato Agustin to handle the team to no avail.

Coca-Cola improved to 7-9 (win-loss) while dealing San Miguel its third straight defeat and its fifth in 16 games overall.

“I think, to our advantage, they were a little at a loss. They were right there because of their super individual talent,” said Coca-Cola coach Bo Perasol.

“Coach Ato is a good coach. He’s proven himself with three straight championships (in the amateurs). It’s not right to judge him with just this game. It’s tough considering the short preparation,” said Siot Tanquingcen whose job as SMB head coach is obviously on the line.

Agustin, who has won a string of championships with the San Sebastian Stags, is expected to be officially named SMB head coach after the 2010 NCAA season.

“We do that to all our coaches. It’s part of their training,”said SMC top official Robert Non.

Though playing sans Gabe Freeman for the second straight game, the Beermen put up a tough fight only to fall short as what happened in their game in Negros Saturday.

Jay Washington and Arwind Santos both came through with a double-double job with Dondon Hontiveros and Danny Ildefonso contributing double-digit outputs for the Beermen, who led by as many as 14 at 62-48.

They battled the Tigers in a closely fought game in the fourth quarter and yielded the game after Ildefonso missed a jumper from the right quartercourt in the closing seconds.

Earlier, Alex Cabagnot pounced on a crucial error by Marvin Cruz, scoring on a breakaway layup to give SMB its last taste of the lead at 86-85 with 25 seconds left in the game.

Cruz, however, made up for his boo-boo in the ensuing play, setting up Macapagal for the game-winning three-pointer.

In the nightcap, Alaska Milk continued to hit its stride, repulsing Rain or Shine, 86-75, to assure itself of at least a playoff shot at an outright quarterfinals berth.

“Ten days ago, Top 2 didn’t even look remotely possible. Now we’re assured of at least a tie for No. 5. We can turn our attention to grander things,” said Alaska coach Tim Cone.

Williamson put in 28 points and 10 rebounds before fouling out with over four minutes left to play.

On Williamson’s ouster, Asi Taulava and Gary David took over, combining for 15 points in the payoff period.

Taulava finished with 15 points and eight rebounds while David wound up with eight points, four assists, three rebounds and two steals.