MANILA: While San Miguel’s all-star crew is doing all the damage on the opposition on the floor, the scary thing about the current high that the Beermen are in right now is that coach Siot Tanquingcen believes that they haven’t played their best yet.
“Yes, we’re playing well, but we haven’t peaked yet,” Tanquingcen told scribes matter-of-factly Friday night, shortly after the Beermen won a ninth straight PBA Philippine Cup game in lopsided fashion - 110-94, over Sta. Lucia - at the Araneta Coliseum.
“We still have another dimension (in our game) we can explore once everybody gets back,” he said, referring to injured stars Jay Washington, Bonbon Custodio and Danny Ildeefonso, who have been out most of the tournament.
“The task at hand right now is not to lose focus,” Tanquingcen added. “We’re in a good streak right now, yes, but we won’t take anybody for granted.”
Dondon Hontiveros scored 21 points, eight in the third quarter when the Beermen broke free from a 47-46 game at the half as San Miguel extended the tournament’s longest winning run in climbing to 9-2 overall.
Mike Cortez added 14 points and three steals, Lordy Tugade had 13 and seven boards and Arwind Santos sustained his double-double performance with 12 markers and 11 rebounds as the Beermen dealt the Realtors a second straight loss in a 5-5 card.
Nelbert Omolon scored 10 points in the first quarter and finished with 14 in the first half when the Realtors were still in it. Omolon was shut down in the third before winding up with 20 to lead Sta. Lucia.
But the sheer firepower packed by the souped-up San Miguel roster was just too much for the Realtors to handle as the Beermen scored 63 points in the final two periods.
Cortez had 11 of his total in the third period, while Danny Seigle had 10 of his 13 in the fourth as six total players scored in twin digits for San Miguel, who has won all of its games with an average of 16 points and in double figures.
Sta. Lucia has been a victim in that San Miguel string twice now, losing the first time by 17 points. And last night - at least in the first half - the Realtors looked like they were capable of engaging the Beermen in a close contest only to lose steam when it truly mattered.
Asked after the win which team he thinks could beat his streaking squad, Tanquingcen played it safe by saying that everyone in the field has a shot. But he did make special mention of Alaska , which, incidentally, is their next assignment.
Meanwhile, Barangay Ginebra, depleted and all, won a second straight game and stayed in third place after dismantling Barako Bull, 88-76.
Ronald Tubid scored 30 points and scored at least that much for the second straight game - the first time it has happened in his career - after shooting a career-high 33 in a victory over Coca-Cola last Friday.
Tubid hit five triples despite a severely injured left ring finger, bringing his total to 13 for the last two games as the Gin Kings, playing without Mark Caguioa, Celino Cruz and reigning MVP Jay-Jay Helterbrand, upped their record to 7-3.
“We still hope to win some games while waiting for everyone to be healthy so that we can keep in step with the top teams,” Ginebra coach Jong Uichico said during the customary winning coach’s interview.
“The (remaining healthy) players are doing the best they can,” he said. “They are responding well to the minutes that they are being given.”
Johnny Abarrientos was one of those who did, shooting six points and issuing six assists in a 29-minute stint starting at the point. Uichico later said that they have decided to extend the former MVP’s contract.
“He may not be able to take the every day grind,” Uichico said of Abarrientos. “He may lost a step or two, but you know that your team is still in good hands with Johnny there.”
Barako Bull lost a seventh straight outing and the Energy Boosters rewrote the mark in futility in the tournament after going down to 2-9.
