SMB tests ex-PBA import vs Indon five

MANILA, Philippines - A new import will join the San Miguel Beermen as they eye to make the most out of a homecourt advantage by booking a sixth win against the Indonesian Warriors in an Asean Basketball League (ABL) game today  at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City.

Former PBA import Jarrid Famous will replace Doug Thomas, who was sidelined by a partial tear on his right LCL. Famous’ entry comes at the right time as the Beermen are still smarting from a close 73-70 loss to the Malaysian Dragons last Saturday at the same venue. The 6 p.m. game is the second of the five games on home turf for SMB, which occupies solo third place with a 5-3 win-loss record.

“The players have a tendency to be complacent. After so many games on the road, they think that they can just show up and win. I told them to be ready every night and protect the home turf,”said San Miguel Beer head coach Bobby Parks, whose team is slightly ahead of the Warriors (4-4). Both teams trail the Philippine Patriots (7-1) and the Dragons (6-2).

Parks was particularly disappointed that the Beermen allowed themselves to be buried by 20 points going into the second half in the Malaysia game. He said that fighting back from such a lead may have taken its toll on them down the stretch.

“When you fight back from 20 points, it is very hard so we had lapses down the stretch. From the very start, we have to do a better job defensively so that won’t happen to us again. We have to make the adjustments,”Parks said.

The focus of the Beermen defense is now on Mario Wuysang, the Indonesian Warriors’ long-range shooter who torched the Singapore Slingers with 21 points in a 65-57 victory. Imports Steve Thomas and Larry Smith are also problems defensively. Last Feb. 18, the Beermen won with a 77-61 score over the Warriors.

Aris Dimaunahan will again handle backcourt chores for the Beermen, who will also rely on Darlon Johnson, Leo Avenido, Benedict Fernandez, June Mar Fajardo and Jun Jun Cabatu.