Beermen turn back Dragons

MANILA, Philippines - With vintage Asi Taulava providing rock-solid anchor, the San Miguel Beermen shifted to high gear in the second half to turn back Westports Malaysia Dragons, 80-62, and extend their hot streak to 10 games in the Asean Basketball League last night at the Ynares Sports Arena.

Taulava flashed vintage form and powered his way to 26 points, spearheading the third-quarter breakaway that cleared the path for the Beermen’s 10th straight and 13th win overall in 16 outings.

“Ten straight win – that’s amazing for us,” said San Miguel coach Leo Austria, whose wards thus firmed up their hold of the lead, a full game ahead of second-running Indonesia Warriors (12-4) and three up on the No. 3 Dragons (9-8).

“We’re not really after the win streak but the No. 1 seeding after the elims because we want to enjoy homecourt advantage in the playoffs,” he added, crediting his crew for “sustaining the energy” despite playing their third game in six days.

The 40-year-old Taulava punched in four successive inside stabs against Dragons’ Gavin Edwards as SMB touched off the third with a 10-0 run that put the home team on top by double digits, 45-35.

It was an all-SMB show from there as a rejuvenated Taulava continued to pounce inside while Hans Thiele and Justin WIlliams entered the fray to pull the Beermen away for good, 70-54, 2:48 left.