Cold MVP: SMB pummels off Williams, Sta. Lucia in PBA All-Filipino

MANILA, Philippines - San Miguel Beer held Kelly Williams to his worst output in his Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) career on the Beermen's way to hacking out an 89-71 win over defending champion Sta. Lucia in the KFC-Philippine Cup Thursday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig. Sta. Lucia battled San Miguel on even terms in the first two quarters. But Williams, the Realtors' best player, struggled from the field as the Beermen pulled away for good in the second half. It was the Beermen's fifth win in six outings allowed them to break free from a tie with the Alaska Aces and grab the top spot in the season-opening tournament. Badly hurt by Williams' poor shooting, the Realtors fell to an even 3-3 card. Williams, the reigning league MVP, was held to a career-low three points. He wouldn't score his only basket for the night – a three-pointer – until the final 70 seconds of the match and the outcome of the game already settled, 87-71. Prior to hitting the moot three-pointer, Williams was 0-for-14 from the field and 0-for-three from the free throw line – both career lows. Williams' worst output in his three-year PBA career was five points, which registered twice last year. The start of the game was delayed for about 30 minutes as the goal in the San Miguel side collapsed while the ring was being set up two hours before gametime. Jay Washington and Dondon Hontiveros led a fiery Beermen surge in the first seven minutes of the third period, outscoring the Realtors, 18-8, to turn a two-point deficit into a 58-50 lead. Lordy Tugade and Dorian Pena then took over as San Miguel took command at 81-66. - GMANews.TV