Burger King gets equal, beats SMB in Game 2
by JOSEF T. RAMOS
Sun, May 21, 2009
SHAWN DANIELS led Burger King with a magnificent double-double performance en route to a 116-113 win against San Miguel Beer that leveled their semifinals series in PBA Motolite Fiesta Conference at Game 2 Friday at the Cuneta Astrodome.
Although the Whopper blew away an early 16-point spread, they came still with defensive stops to force a one-game-all standoff in their best-of-seven semifinal showdown.
"We would not win by a big margin against San Miguel. We just want to hang around and see what happens at endgame. If we hang around long enough, we would have our chance to win at endgame," said BK coach Yeng Guiao.
"The longer the series goes, the better our chance to win it. And having won one game, our confidence is back. With our confidence back, I think we can play better the next game," Guiao said.
Shawn Daniels and Gary David delivered the baskets while Arwind Santos came through with the defensive gems allowing the Whoppers to avenge an 87-102 blowout by the Beermen in Game One.
Daniels and David nailed two charities each to push BK back on top, 114-113, then Santos foiled back-to-back offensive thrusts by Gabe Freeman, saving the Whoppers from what could have been a sorry loss.
The Whoppers dominated the contest only to sputter entering the homestretch after squandering a 56-40 spread as they fell behind by three, 110-113, with 2:33 left to play.
But BK would get a second wind.
"I really think we have enough players who can play at crunch time. They proved me right in this game," said Guiao.
San Miguel had a chance to salvage the game but Dondon Hontiveros misfired a three-pointer with six seconds to go.
Santos got the rebound and threw an outlet pass to Santos who settled the outcome of the game with two more charities.
Daniels wound up with 29 points, 14 rebounds, six assists and five blocks with Santos adding 22 points, six rebounds and three steals, JR Quinahan chipping in 17 points and six rebounds and David contributing 12 points and four rebounds.
Freeman had a highly-productive performance that went to naught as he failed to deliver at the finish. He finished with 34 points and 19 rebounds.
Daniels went to work early, logging 16 points, six rebounds, five assists, two steals and one block in the first half ending in BK's favor at 64-56.
Santos and Quinahan also produced big numbers right in the opening half where the Whoppers led by as many as 16 at 56-40.
The two combined for a 5-of-9 shooting from the three-point area with Aaron Aban and Egay Billones contributing a triple each as against San Miguel's four.
The Whoppers also had more hustle numbers, getting five steals to none for the Beermen.
Individual Scores
Burger King 116 - Daniels 29, Santos 22, Quinahan 17, David 12, Aban 9, Yee 8, Belga 6, Arboleda 6, Billones 3, Rodriguez 2, Sharma 2, Villanueva 0, Cruz 0.
San Miguel 113 - Freeman 34, Hontioveros 15, Cortez 10, Racela 9, Washington 8, Custodio 7, Ildefonso 7, Villanueva 6, Pennisi 6, Pena 5, Gonzales 4, Pingris 2.
Quarter Scores: 36-26, 64-56, 94-86, 115-113 |