DEZ Wells scored a go-ahead layup and San Miguel Beer halted NLEX’s three-game unbeaten run with a 98-94 victory Friday night (early Saturday Manila time) in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai.
Wells’ basket off Kenneth Ighalo and Poy Erram put the Beermen up 95-94 before forcing the Road Warriors to miss their attempts in the final seconds to forge a share of the lead with idle TNT KaTropa at 3-0.
The SMB import finished with 32 points, 14 rebounds, four assists and two blocks to help his team buck the ejection of Terrence Romeo early in the fourth quarter.
Romeo was tossed after committing a Flagrant Foul 2 for his headbutt on NLEX’s Philip Paniamogan with 10:23 remaining in the payoff period.
Alex Cabagnot finished with 20 points and June Mar Fajardo had 16 points and 18 rebounds.
While almost everybody played well, SMB coach Leo Austria reserved his ultimate compliment to his import.
“It seems to me that Dez is really fitted to the team,” said Austria said of the former Maryland Terrapin standout.
Even NLEX tactician Yeng Guaio readily acknowledged the difference that Wells provided for SMB, notably on the offensive end.
“Medyo malaking setback ‘yung diperensiya sa import scoring. Their import scored 32 points and ours (Ola Ashaolu) only 11,” he lamented.
More than Wells’ scoring prowess, Austria is pleased to see how the Raleigh, North Carolina native has been appearing to fit like a glove to the super-talented Beermen local unit.
“He can create his own shot. He can slash and even can score from the perimeter. But what I like the most about him is that he’s improving the intelligence of his teammates,” gushed Austria.
“Match-up wise, it’s hard to cover Dez, because hindi siya maliit para mapostehan at mabilis rin siya kaya hindi pwedeng malaki ang itapat sa kanya. That’s why down the stretch, hinanap talaga namin siya. And we’re just lucky he delivered.”
HOTSHOTS VS ACES
Meantime, defending champion Magnolia and Meralco look to sweep their busy weekend schedule against separate foes today (Sunday) at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Hotshots take on the winless Alaska Aces in the rematch of last year’s finals at 6:45 p.m. while the Bolts face the Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters in the 4:30 p.m. opener.
Both teams are coming off contrasting wins last Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena to gain identical 2-1 records.
Magnolia endured a defensive struggle to edge Rain or Shine 69-68 as Meralco crushed Alaska 101-75.
Import Romeo Travis is expected to lead the attack for the Hotshots, who almost threw the game away when they squandered a 10-point lead in the fourth.
Mark Barroca, Paul Lee and Ian Sangalang will be tasked by coach Chito Victolero to deliver for Magnolia.
Alaska is struggling at the cellar with a 0-4 record and coach Jeffrey Cariaso admitted that there is now an urgent need to turn things around.
Meanwhile, Meralco aims to keep its impressive form going with two-time Best Import Allen Durham, Baser Amer and Raymond Almazan.
Amer erupted from long range against the Aces last Friday, draining four of his six threes in the third on his way to a conference-high 27 points. (Jonas Terrado)
SAN MIGUEL 98 — Wells 32, Cabagnot 20, Fajardo 16, Santos 9, Standhardinger 7, Ross 6, Nabong 3, Pessumal 3, Romeo 2, Ganuelas-Rosser 0.
NLEX 94 — Ravena 20, Erram 12, Ighalo 12, Cruz 11, Ashaolu 11, Quinahan 9, Galanza 7, Paniamogan 7, Miranda 3, Fonacier 2, Varilla 0.
Quarters: 20-18; 42-41; 71-69; 98-94.
