ABL: Patriots fall anew to the San Miguel Beermen

The San Miguel Beermen once again proved that they can go toe-to-toe against their fellow countrymen, inflicting just the second loss on the league-leading AirAsia Philippine Patriots, courtesy of a 68-66 victory, breaking the Patriots’ six-game winning run in the Asean Basketball League, Sunday at the Arena in San Juan.   But the game was marred by an altercation between Patriots import Anthony Johnson and the Beermen’s Aris Dimaunahan, when the latter was called for unsportsmanlike conduct on Johnson with 2:17 left in the game and the Patriots up, 48-46.   Johnson didn’t like the foul and head-locked Dimaunahan after the play, leading to punches being thrown and benches emptying, as both teams tried to break up the fight.   Both players were ejected from the match after referees conferred and the Beermen and the Patriots were called for technical fouls due to players rushing the court.   Leo Avenido led all Beermen scorers with 17 points, including two free throws at the 43 second mark to break away from a 63-all tie.   On the next play, the Patriots turned the ball over as Avenido stripped Reed Juntilla from behind. After that, Avenido also grabbed his miss to melt the clock, which led to Froilan Baguion splitting his two free throws with 13.7 seconds in the game.   The Patriots tried to get a quick score but Ardy Larong issued a high pass to Juntilla, which resulted in a turnover.   “Leo is a true professional and is someone you can send in a battle because he is a true warrior,” said San Miguel coach Bobby Parks after the game.   Nakiea Miller had 16 points, nine rebounds and five blocks while Johnson had 14 markers before he was thrown out. Eddie Laure had 12 points and Al Vergara had nine as they tried to pick up the offense for the Patriots with Johnson ejected.   The Beermen took their seventh win in ten outings to close in on the top teams, the Philippine Patriots and the Westport Malaysia Dragons, as both clubs currently tout a 7-2 record. - AMD, GMA News     The scores: SMB 68—Avenido 17, Johnson 14, Famous 13, Baguion 6, Ferriols 5, Rizada 5, Fernandez 3, Dimaunahan 3, Cabatu 2, Fajardo 0, Gonzales 0.   PH 66—Miller 16, Johnson 14, Laure 12, Vergara 9, Raymundo 4, Fernandez 3, Juntilla 3, Larong 3, Wainwright 2, Ybanez 0, Ramos 0, Rodriguez 0.   Quarter scores: 11-15, 32-26, 49-54, 68-66.