by Tito S. Talao
Games Wednesday (Smart Araneta)
5:45 p.m. – Alaska vs Meralco
8 p.m. – San Mig vs Globalport
Just two blowout games into the conference after reverting to its celebrated name, San Miguel Beer is fast resembling the Beermen of yore.
San Miguel gave its hobbled center a ringside view of what he is missing as he heals, clobbering Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, 112-96, last night for a share of leadership in the PLDT myDSL PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Talk ‘N Text also sports a 2-0 slate.
Though the Kings put up a more tenacious fight than the Meralco Bolts, who suffered a power outtake Friday, 94-76, the Beermen similarly were in control from the onset, streaking to a 37-23 lead in the first 12 minutes and never getting seriously threatened the rest of the way.
Ginebra did pull within 8 points after falling behind 66-49 in the third quarter but got not closer, picking up its first loss after barely surviving Barako Bull in overtime in their first game.
“I’m happy with the final score but this is just the second game and so you never get too high or too low,” said SMB consultant Todd Purves. “There’s so many things still to be addressed. But the players have shown their willingness to work hard and that’s inspiring.”
Josh Boone may have received a new lease on life after scoring 32 points and grabbing 21 rebounds for SMB, putting aside talks for now of an early departure despite the reported presence of new import Kevin Jones.
Neither Purves nor coach Biboy Ravanes would confirm Jones’ arrival from the States, but whatever plans the Beermen have of bringing him in could have hit a snag with Boone’s superlative second game.
“Meeting muna,” said Ravanes when asked if Boone was going to get axed. “Baka sabihin naman, ‘ano ba namang team ito?’”
Leon Rodgers had 21 points but the rest of the Kings couldn’t get anything going as the Beermen, who were without 6-foot-10 center June Mar Fajardo, took a 58-44 lead at halftime.
Marcio Lassiter had 11 points for SMB and 6-foot-11 Josh Boone 10 with 13 rebounds in the first 24 minutes, with Ginebra routed under the offensive glass and giving up 16 points from 11 turnovers.
Fajardo’s left ankle remained swollen and no risk was needed to be taken after the Ginebra shot 38 percent.
Two days after debuting with 45 points and 18 rebounds in a heartbreaking overtime loss to Barangay Ginebra, Joshua Dollard dropped 44 and 19 as Barako Bull stunned Rain or Shine, 110-106.
Playing 39 minutes, the 6-foot-8, 235-pound Dollard, from Southern Carolina U, went 13 of 26 from the floor and 17 of 21 free throws, exploding for 17 points in the fourth quarter where the Energy Cola kept the Elasto Painters at bay.
While it was Dollard, the E-Cola’s second choice after Tennessee U’s Dwayne Chism, who threw Rain or Shine out of the room, it was Willy Wilson, pulled off cold from the bench with 11 seconds left, who slammed the door shut.
Wilson went to the line with 2.6 seconds to go as Rain or Shine fouled to gain possession, hitting both free throws to seal the win for Barako Bull which saw a won game slipped away against Ginebra last Friday.