Beermen shoot for 2nd triumph

THE San Miguel Beermen and the B-MEG Derby Ace Llamados will again look for heroes when they battle separate rivals in the 2010-2011 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum today.

The Beermen, who relied on the heroics of Alex Cabagnot to lead them to victory, battle the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings in the 5 p.m. opening match.

On the other hand, the Llamados, which had James Yap not only scoring the winning points, but also making a final defensive stop, try to take the upper hand when they meet the Tropang Texters in the 7:30 p.m. main game.

The Beermen lead their series against Ginebra, 1-0, while the series between BMEG and Talk ‘N Text is tied at one game apiece.

San Miguel Beer point guard Cabagnot knocked in the game-winning shot at the buzzer to push the Beermen to victory over Ginebra, 86-84, in Game 1 of their best-of-seven semifinals showdown.

Cabagnot shook off main defender Ronald Tubid, then beat the help defense of Rudy Hatfield in a layup.

“The team gives me the trust and confidence to do what I have to do. They’re giving me that and I’m paying back,” said Cabagnot.

San Miguel Beer lost a 14-point spread early in the fourth quarter but came away with the win, with Cabagnot delivering the winning basket after Ginebra fumbled its final possession.



Cabagnot himself forced the 84-all deadlock on an eight-foot jumper off a pick by Danny Ildefonso with 21.5 ticks left. Ginebra’s Hatfield then threw away the ball, allowing the Beermen to hold final possession.

San Miguel Beer went to Cabagnot, who once again, showing nerves of steel, scored the winning basket on a barreling drive.

“Ginebra is such a tough team to put away. We led by 14 but they’re right back in the game in the last two minutes. Good thing, Alex is always there to save us,” said San Miguel forward Jay Washington.

James Yap played sick and struggled with his shooting and spent most of the fourth quarter on the bench. But when the chips are down and the clock is winding down, Yap remains the Llamados’ go-to guy.
source: manilastandardtoday.com/