Beermen seek 12th straight vs Heat

MANILA, Philippines - Following a character-building win over Sports Rev Thailand, San Miguel Beer seeks to push its Asean Basketball League (ABL) streak to 12 wins as it goes up against Saigon Heat today at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

The Beermen are heavily favored to cement their ABL leadership and move to a 15-3 record in the 4 p.m. match.

They are 2-1 against Saigon (3-13 win-loss slate) this season and that includes a record-setting 101-49 win last April 17 in Ho Chi Minh City.

In contrast to that record rout, SMB coach Leo Austria’s team is coming off a 78-70 victory over the Sports Rev Thailand Slammers last Wednesday in a game where they trailed by as many as nine points in the second half.

“We were riding high with our winning streak. The win over Thailand might be ugly but this is the type of win that builds character,” said Austria, whose team initially led by 18 points before falling behind against the Thais.

“But it’s a good thing that this happened now. It’s a wake up call for us and it will help us prepare for the playoffs,” he added as the team also aims to nail a homecourt advantage in the semifinals.

The Beermen’s struggle in the road game against Slammers might have something to do with the absence of top-scoring guard Chris Banchero. The Fil-Am ace will have to rest for a maximum of three weeks due to a tendon tear on his left quadriceps.

Banchero averages 16.44 points per game and is known for his gung-ho style that lifts San Miguel’s energy to fever-pitch. Without Banchero, San Miguel goes for a deliberate approach with Paolo Hubalde at the helm.