3rd ABL: Beermen hope to rebound against Bangkok Cobras

San Miguel hopes to avoid visiting Bangkok's giant-killing ways when they face off Saturday in the 3rd ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City. San Miguel hosts the Cobras at home at 6 p.m. with the Beermen fresh from a 71-63 defeat at the hands of the Singapore Slingers last Wednesday. Buoyed by Filipino-American import Don Dulay's 23-point output, the league-leading Slingers (4-1) handed the Beermen their second loss in four outings. San Miguel coach Bobby Parks welcomed the Beermen's first home game after back-to-back matches on the road. "It's hard with all the traveling. Hopefully, this home game will help us get our bearings back."   The Beermen and the Cobras are actually tied for fourth place (2-2) behind the 3-1 slates of the Philippine Patriots and Westport Malaysia Dragons. Expect the Cobras to be a tough assignment for the Beermen after the Bangkok-based squad stunned the Dragons, 73-70, also last Wednesday in Kuala Lumpur. Filipino Marvin Cruz contributed 14 markers for Bangkok in that game against the Dragons to help import Michael Earl's 20-point explosion. Dalron Johnson paced the Beermen last Wednesday with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Froilan Baguion led the locals with 15 markers and five steals but their efforts were still not enough for San Miguel to pull off a victory. Imports Johnson and Doug Thomas must joined hands again with Baguion in order for San Miguel to clinch its third win. "We had a slow start again and (Slingers import) Don Dulay hurt us with 23 points. Plus we have problems with a back up guard so Froilan (Baguion) had to play extended minutes," said Parks. "Our top scorers Benedict (Fernandez) and Leo (Avenido) made only 2-of-16 attempts from the field. Despite that, we tied the game and it just so happen that we could not convert down the stretch." — JVP, GMA News