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PAULO Hubalde scored 11 of his 14 points in the fourth period as San Miguel survived a gritty Sports Rev Thailand Slammers, 78-70, in Asean Basketball League action in Bangkok Wednesday night.
Picking up the slack left by the injured Chris Banchero, Hubalde hit key baskets in the pivotal fourth as the former PBA journeyman help the Beermen recover from an anemic 18 point-production in the second and third quarters combined.
The victory stretched the Beermen’s record winning streak to 11 and improve to 14-3 overall as they remained on top of the standings.
For a while, the streak appeared in jeopardy as San Miguel struggled in its first game without Banchero, who suffered a tendon tear in his left quadriceps that will keep him out for at least two weeks.
The Beermen led by just three at the half, 36-33, after scoring just eight points in the second period.
Then, the Slammers came alive in the third and took a 53-46 lead with them entering the fourth.
But Hubalde responded and sparked the Beermen’s run by converting a triple and cut the deficit to 53-58.
Leo Avenido then tied the match at 62 with a putback, before Hubalde took over and scored on another jumper to give San Miguel a safe 76-68 lead.
Asi Taulava topscored for the Beermen with 18 points and dished out six assists, while Avenido had 15 points.
The Slammers fell to fifth place with a 6-12 (win-loss) slate.
The scores:
San Miguel (78) -- Taulava 18, Avenido 15, Hubalde 14, B. Williams 11, Acuna 10, J. Williams 6, Thiele 2, Rizada 2, Fortuna 0, Cawaling 0, Menk 0.
Thailand (70) -- Charles 16, Apirmvilaichai 12, Baguion 9, Sekteera 9, Klahan 8, Dasom 6, Brannon 4, Tongsri 3, Samarjai 3, Kongkum 0.
Quarterscores: 28-12; 36-33; 46-53; 78-70.
Source: Reuben Terrado, SPIN.ph
