ABL: San Miguel Beermen bury Thailand Slammers to tie semis series

The San Miguel Beermen buried the Sports Rev Thailand Slammers in a 42-24 hole at the half and never looked back, taking game two of their semifinals series, 91-60, on Saturday at the PhilSports Arena.

The visiting Thais had shocked the Beermen in game one, Thursday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, snapping their 16-game winning streak via a 62-60 victory, to draw first blood in their best-of-five series.

San Miguel built a 22-13 lead after one, as Chris Banchero and Leo Avenido combined for 15 points. The Beermen did not let up in the second, pouring on 20 more, while limiting the Slammers to 11 points for a 42-24 halftime lead that they would not relinquish.

Banchero and Val Acuña had 14 each for SMB, while Jeric Fortuna chipped in 13 with five assists, three rebounds and a steal. Leo Avenido added 12.

Only one Slammer scored in double figures as Wutipong Dasom led Thailand with 11 points. Christien Charles had nine while Tonino Gonzaga added seven.

The Beermen shot a high 51 percent clip from the field, hitting 35 of their 69 attempts. They also went 50 percent from beyond the arc, dropping eight of their 16 threes.

Thailand was limited to 37 percent, getting only 25 of their 68 shots to fall. They shot a poorer 17 percent from deep, hitting only two treys in 12 tries.

SMB out-rebounded Thailand 43-32. They also doubled the Slammers' assists 24-12.

The next two games will be at the Nimibutr Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. - RAF/AMD, GMA News