Beermen oust Dragons, enter ABL final

MANILA, Philippines -  San Miguel Beer fired on all cylinders in the second half, blasting the Westports Malaysia Dragons, 90-56, to make the Asean Basketball League Season 3 finals at the Ynares Sports Arena yesterday.

Walloped by the Malaysians in Kuala Lumpur in Game Two, the Beermen made a huge turnaround in the deciding game on their Pasig home turf and gained the right to play the Indonesia Warriors in the title playoff.

The best team in the regular season, the Beermen continue to enjoy the home court advantage, hosting the Indon team in Game One in the same Pasig venue Saturday.

“It’s been a great season and we want to finish on top,” said San Miguel coach Bobby Parks.

The Beermen returned from the halftime huddle with their guns ablaze, starting with a 21-3 salvo and refusing to relax to score the emphatic victory.

Import Brian Williams, playing with a body spasm, couldn’t help the Malaysians.

Nick Fazekas terribly outclassed the hurting Malaysian import, churning out 21 points and 19 rebounds.

Duke Crews helped tend the boards and the SMB locals also contributed in their torrid second-half attack as the Beermen got a crack at winning the ABL crown in their debut season.

They face the Indons who swept past the Harbour Centre Patriots in their own best-of-three semifinal.

The Malaysians foiled the Beermen’s own sweep bid, fashioning out a 100-77 win at home a week ago.

Williams and Tiras Wade combined for 60 points as against Fazekas’ and Crews’ 27 markers as the Malaysians got even in Game Two.