ABL: Slammers end Beermen's win streak, go up 1-0 in semis 

The San Miguel Beermen’s winning streak ended in the worst possible time. Despite playing on the road, the Sports Rev Thailand Slammers emerged triumphant, 62-60, Thursday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, to take game one of their best-of-five semifinals series.

With the game tied at 60-all, Joe Bryant drew up a play, which led to Darongpan Apiromvilaichai knocking down the game-winner.

“The important thing is play defense,” Bryant said after the match. “[SMB point guard Chris] Banchero’s been out for a while so we put a lot of pressure on him because no matter how many practices you have, it’s really hard to go back to your game shape.”

The win snaps the Beermen's 16-game winning streak, which is the longest in ABL history. It was all the first time this entire season the Slammers beat SMB.

After leading 3-2 in early in the first quarter, the San Miguel Beermen spent most of the game trying to catch up with the Sports Rev Thailand Slammers. They finally did it in the fourth quarter but they ran out of gas.

Both teams came up empty on their first couple of possessions in the game. Leo Avenido finally knocked one in for the San Miguel Beermen via a triple, but Sports Rev Thailand import Chris Charles scored on the other side with a strong move towards the basket.

The Slammers then went on a 10-2 run to build a 12-5 advantage. Kannawat Lertlaokul sank a fast break jumper at the 4:47 mark of the first to give Sports Rev Thailand a seven-point lead.

Justin Williams scored on a put-back, which was followed by Chris Banchero lay-up with 3:06 left in the first to bring the Beermen to within six points at 15-9.

However, Lertlaokul sank another jumper on the break to bump their lead back up to eight points, 17-9.

The Beermen then went on an 8-0 run to knot the game at 17-all. Their two imports started the run while Chris Banchero ended it with two free throws and a lay-up just before the first quarter buzzer sounded.

Charles started the second quarter with a tip-in to give the lead back to the Slammers. However, Val Acuña sank a three-point shot to give San Miguel a 20-19 lead.

At that point the Thai imports went to work as Charles and Darrius Brannon conspired to give the Slammers a 26-20 lead with 5:02 left in the first half.

The Slammers went to the halftime break holding a 35-30 lead over the Beermen.

Makes from Brannon and Chanachon Klahan exchanged baskets with Brian Williams for a 40-37 count still in favor of the Slammers halfway into the third quarter.

Lertlaokul then went on to score his tenth point of the match with a jumper to re-establish a five point lead for Thailand.

Justin Williams scored on the break off a long pass from Asi Taulava to trim the Slammer lead down to three points at 43-40. Taulava then scored his first basket of the game to further cut the lead to just a single point.

The Slammers went on a 4-0 run to close out the third quarter holding a 47-42 lead.

Justin Williams scored on a back to back baskets to bring the Beermen to within one at 49-48.

San Miguel finally got the lead with a fast break lay-up from Banchero with 4:32 left in the game. It was however, short-lived, as Charles made two free throws on the very next play.

Taulava scored on a put-back with only 2:35 left in the game to give the Beermen a 56-55 lead. But just like the last time San Miguel got the lead, Charles quickly took it away, this time with a jump hook.

Brian Williams came to the rescue for SMB as he sank two pressure-packed free throws for a 58-57 count with only 1:49 left. Charles tried to retake the lead for the Slammers but he only managed a split on his free throws.

With both clubs coming up empty on multiple looks at the basket, the ball found its way to Brannon at the free throw line. He also managed a split to give the Slammers a 59-58 lead.

With 32 seconds left in the game clock, the Beermen turned the ball over as Froilan Baguion intercepted a Brian Williams pass. Baguion was fouled, but he only made one of his free throws.

Down 60-58, the Beermen ran a quick play which resulted in Banchero getting a foul. He made both his free throws to knot the game at 60-all, but it was not enough to claim a victory.

Slammers import Chris Charles had 24 points  and 13 rebounds to lead his team to the big win.

Game 2 will be on May 25 at the PhilSports Arena.  - AMD, GMA News



The scores:

Thailand 62 - Charles 24, Lertlaokul 10, Brannon 8, Klahana 7, Gonzaga 4, Apiromvilaichai 4, Baguion 3, Ghogar 2, Kongkum 0, Samerjai 0, Sekteera 0, Dasom 0

San Miguel 60 - Banchero 13, J. Williams 12, Burtscher 12, Taulava 6, Hubalde 5, Acuna 3, Thiele 2, Fortuna 2, Menk 0, Cawaling 0

Quarter scoring: 17-17, 35-30, 47-42, 62-60