San Miguel clobbers Coca-Cola

29 Dec 2008

Old reliables Dondon Hontiveros, who finished with 24 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists, and Olsen Racela knocked down consecutive jumpers each just when the Coca-Cola Tigers trimmed 1 46-67 21-point deficit to just 7, 71-78, lifting the San Miguel Beermen to a 99-89 win at the start of the Wildcard Phase of the 2008-2009 KFC PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

The win set the Beermen to another knocj=kout match against the winner of the second game between the Purefoods TJ Giants and the Air21 Express.“

This is somehow the path God allowed us to be in,” said SMB coach Siot Tanquingcen, whose powerhouse team was a pre-tournament favorite but wound up in the wildcard after finishing the eliminations at sixth.

“We just have to make sure we do our best, put in all our efforts dahil ang results darating yun,” he added. “We just have to play with the talent we have and let the chips fall as they may.”

“Against Purefoods you have to deal with James (Yap), Kerby (Raymundo), Rico (Villanueva). Sa Air21 naman, you have to deal with everybody, including ‘yung dalawang bago nila (Cyrus Baguio and Celino Cruz),” he pointed out.Danny Seigle, in his second game back after a long layoff due to various injuries, contributed 16 points and 7 rebounds in just 21 minutes. Lordy Tgade added 15 and 5 and Dorian Pena 14 and 8 for the Beermen.The next playdate will be on January 4, 2009. The wildcard winner will face the 3rd-ranked Brgy.

Ginebra Kings.Asi Taulava, who has missed the Tigers' previous three games, played despite having a fractured finger and led Coca-Cola with 20 points and 13 rebounds. Ronjay Buenafe added 15 and 6, Mark Telan 12 and 13 and Ricky Calimag 11 and 6.The Tigers became the second casualty of the tournament.

Scores:

San Miguel Beer 99 - Hontiveros 24, Seigle 16, Tugade 15, Pena 14, Custodio 9, Washington 9, Pennisi 6, Racela 5, Villanueva 1, Baguion 0.Coca-Cola 89 - Taulava 20, Buenafe 15, Telan 12, Calimag 11, Cabagnot 9, Macapagal 8, Sanots 8, Catli 3, Arigo 3, Dimaunahan 0, Misolas 0.

Quarterscores: 32-22, 52-38, 75-62, 99-89.