.
Home
The San Miguel Beermen failed to keep their lead intact in the late goings of regulation before bowing to Westports Malaysia Dragons in overtime, 83-77, in their first game in the ASEAN Basketball League at the MABA Stadium in Kuala Lumpur.
Dragons imports Tiras Wade and Brian Williams took over the scoring chores with 28 and 26 points, respectively, but Filipinos Nic Belasco and Chris Pacana also came up big in the last two quarters to help the Dragons to their first victory.
It was an upset loss of sorts for the Beermen, who are one of the favored teams in the league by virtue of their line-up and their ABL preseason victory in Bangkok last December.
San Miguel was holding to a 73-69 lead late in the game, but Malaysia was able to force overtime after Belasco and Wade made crucial shots.
Belasco, who was ironically a longtime member of the Beermen in the PBA, scored on an offensive rebound with 1:06 to play, before Wade hit two free throws with 22 seconds in regulation to tie the game.
Pacana and Belasco opened the overtime period with back-to-back baskets and the Dragons never relinquished the lead again.
After San Miguel import Richard Jeter made a dunk to trim Malaysia’s lead to two points, 79-77, the Dragons took advantage of the Beermen’s missed opportunities. Belasco nailed a twinner with 1:12 remaining in overtime and Wade sealed it with two free throws with 19 seconds to go in the game.
Williams grabbed 23 rebounds in the game as the Dragons overwhelmed the Beermen on the boards, 49-34.
Pacana had seven points, five rebounds and two steals while Belasco had six points and six rebounds for the Dragons, coached by former Jose Rizal University mentor Ariel Vanguardia.
Dalron Johnson finished with 17 points while Jeter had 11 markers. Benedict Fernandez and Jun Mar Fajardo each had eight points for the Beermen.
San Miguel had a 42-35 lead at the half but could not hold on.
In their next game on January 21, the Beermen will face compatriot AirAsia Philippine Patriots, who trounced the Bangkok Cobras in their opener last Saturday.
Scores:
WESTPORT MALAYSIA DRAGONS 83—Wade 28, Williams 26, Pacana 7, Belasco 6, Satyaseelan 5, Cabahug 4, Loh 4, Batumalai 3, Li 0.
SAN MIGUEL BEERMEN 77—Johnson 17, Jeter 11, Fernandez 8, Fajardo 8, Dela Pena 6, Baguion 6, Avenido 6, Cabatu 6, Rizada 5, Basco 4, Luanzon 0.
Quarters: 23-25, 35-42, 59-57, 73-73, 83-77.
Source: Reuben Terrado, InterAKTV
