SMB scores 16th straight, tops elims

Game on Thursday (Ynares Antipolo)

8 p.m. - San Miguel Beermen vs Sports Rev Thailand Slammers (Semis, Game 1) 

Standings

San Miguel Beermen       19-3

Indonesia Warriors          16-6

Westports Malaysia          12-9

Sports Rev Thailand         8-14

Jobstreet.com Singapore 7-15

Saigon Heat                        3-18

MANILA, Philippines - The San Miguel Beermen dug deep into their reservoir of resolve before eking out a 107-104 triple overtime triumph over Westports Malaysia Dragons to end the Asean Basketball League elims with 16 straight wins Friday at MABA Stadium in Kuala Lumpur.

Leo Avenido banged in 22 points, spiked by clutch baskets that forced two extension periods and a running floater that gave the Beermen the cushion to complete the come-from-behind squeaker over the stubborn Dragons in the league’s first-ever triple overtime game.

“It’s a good thing we experienced this kind of game because in the previous ones, we almost always won in the third or fourth quarter. But this time, we had to grind it out in three overtimes. What a game!” SMB coach Leo Austria said after surviving the three-hour duel. 

The Beermen finished the elims with 19-3 for the No. 1 seeding in the semifinals against No. 4 Sports Rev Thailand Slammers (8-14). Weary from the windup to the elims, SMB will have five days to recharge before it hosts the Slammers for Game 1 on Thursday at Ynares.