SMB imports lead slay of the Dragons

MANILA, Philippines - Slam-dunking Duke Crews and explosive Nick Fazekas spearheaded the assault as the Beermen hacked out a vengeful 92-76 rout of Westports Malaysia Dragons yesterday in the third AirAsia ASEAN Basketball League at the MABA Gym in Kuala Lumpur.

Teaming up for the first time, Crews and the debuting Fazekas pumped in 29 and 26 points, respectively, as the Beermen picked up their first win over the Dragons in three meetings this year for their 12th triumph in 16 outings overall.

More importantly, the Beermen moved a victory closer to joining pacesetting and first qualifier AirAsia Phl Patriots (13-2) in the semifinals. Interestingly, SMB will go for that semis-clinching W against the Patriots no less in a much-awaited third-round tussle on Saturday at the Ynares Arena.

“Crews made 29 points and Fazekas 26 points in their first game together. That’s what we planned, that’s what we expected, that’s what we got!” said San Miguel Corp. sports director Noli Eala of their imports, who also combined for 22 rebounds.

The potent duo carried the Beermen on their broad shoulders as they paved the way for SMB’s huge middle quarters to rip the game apart and hand the Dragons their sixth straight loss for a 7-8 card overall.

The 6-8 Crews, on his second game with SMB, and the 6-11 Fazekas, making his debut, joined forces in a second-quarter salvo that erected for the Beermen their first double-digit spread, 42-32, en route to a seven-point bubble at intermission.

Not letting up, Crews went on a dunking spree after the break, rattling the rim a whopping six times while Fazekas ably knocked down his baskets as SMB seized a 20-point lead for the first time, 62-42, with 2:35 left in the third. From there, they quashed Malaysia’s desperate attempts for an Easter Sunday resurrection with dagger shots.

During that third-quarter breakaway, the Beermen held Dragons import Tiras Wade to only four points and new reinforcement Jonathan Smith scoreless. Wade, making his return after getting sidelined by a hamstring injury, eventually finished with 28 markers and 11 boards while Smith, formerly with Indonesia Warriors, tallied 14 points and 12 caroms.

It was payback time for SMB, which bowed to the Dragons in their first two meetings, 77-83(OT) in the same venue last January and 70-73 in Pasig last month.

Leo Avenido backstopped their imports with 15 points, including nine from beyond the arc.