Well-rested Beermen outplay exhausted Llamados

Defending champion San Miguel hardly showed rust despite the long rest, demolishing Derby Ace, 101-88, Wednesday night for a 1-0 lead in their PBA Fiesta Cup semifinals series at the Araneta Coliseum.

Jay Washington banged in 28 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and outscored the entire Llamados in the third quarter when the Beermen ripped the game apart.

The 6-foot-7 forward scattered 14 points on 6-of-12 shooting during that stretch to star in the Beermen’s 35-point effort, allowing them to break free from a tight 44-44 count at halftime to claim a commanding 79-57 lead.

The Beermen held the Llamados to just 13 points in the third.

Import Gabe Freeman added 23 points and 15 rebounds.

“The key was defense," said SMB coach Siot Tanquingcen. “But we must not be complacent after winning one game. You just can’t relax on them. They’re like Ginebra – never say die."

Dondon Hontiveros and Arwind Santos had 15 points apiece for the reigning champions, which clobbered Derby Ace off the boards, 48-34.

James Yap led Derby Ace with 24 points, but Tony Washam, who fired a season-high 49 points in the Llamados overtime win over Rain or Shine Sunday, was held to 23 on 6-of-18 shooting from the field.

He also missed six free throws of his 15 attempts.

“As expected we’re not just a step late, we’re at least three to four steps late today," said Derby Ace coach Ryan Gregorio. “Sometimes, even if the mind is willing, the body is not. Emotions just took some of our energy after that gut-wrenching series’ victory over Rain or Shine in the quarterfinals."

This marks the second straight time the Beermen and the Llamados are meeting in the semifinals.

In the Philippine Cup this season, Derby Ace fought back from a 2-1 series deficit and won it in six games, eventually winning the title with a rare sweep against Alaska. -RCJ, GMANews.TV

Scores:

San Miguel Beer 101– Washington 28, Freeman 23, Santos 15, Hontiveros 15, Villanueva 8, Pena 4, Racela 3, Cabagnot 2, Seigle 2, Miranda 1, Yeo 0, Ildefonso 0, Pennisi 0.

B-Meg Derby Ace 88 – Yap J. 24, Washam 23, Simon 12, Artadi 7, Timberlake 6, Maierhofer 6, Pingris 4, Adducul 2, Reavis 2, Yap R. 2, Canaleta 0, Allado 0.

Quarter scores: 25-21, 44-44, 79-57, 101-88