In this conference the Motolite Fiesta Conference is still undefeated in their last six outings. After the game last Wednesday where they beat their sister team the Ginebra Gin Kings at the Araneta Coliseum, in the first three quarters the Gin Kings keep it with a close margin but in the final quarter the Beermen escaped with a wide margin with a lot of fire powers coming from Dondon Hontiveros, Jay Washington, and their import.
This is the best start of the San Miguel since 2004 and the longest winning streak since the 2005 fiesta conference at eight games in the elimination round which the Beermeen won their title. This conference the Beermen playing a solid basketball despite the absence of some of their key players like Danny Seigle, Danny Ildefonso, Lordy Tugade and Marc Pingris. The difference of the team last year was that they are playing more as a team this time, and bench players are stepping up in the absence of their key players.
Here are what the Beermen have done well to create this early run which will be helpful in a tournament with fewer classification games. PLAY BIG—Even without the bulk of its frontline, San Miguel still has Dorian Peña, Mick Pennisi and Jay Washington to provide muscle inside. FREELANCE WITH FREEMAN—San Miguel opened its conference bid without an import. But when Gabe Freeman arrived, the Beermen found a versatile import who can score, rebound and run with them. He has averaged over 20 points, 12 rebounds and at least one assist per game. LAY ZONE WHEN NECESSARY—The Beermen can play a mean zone when they want to thwart incursions by opponents. This can be upsetting to teams that have great individual players. In a 122-103 blowout win against Purefoods, San Miguel mixed the zone with other defenses to frustrate the TJ Giants. It didn’t help that the Giants’ outside sniping took an unscheduled vacation that day.
DELIVER WHOEVER—Villanueva had two big games for the Beermen, then Washington, Gonzales and Hontiveros had their own big nights. Against Coca-Cola, Gonzales had 20 points, eight rebounds and two assists, proving that anyone can erupt for San Miguel.
If the Beermen keep doing it this entire conference I think no one could defeat them and maybe will win the Fiesta Cup.
This is the best start of the San Miguel since 2004 and the longest winning streak since the 2005 fiesta conference at eight games in the elimination round which the Beermeen won their title. This conference the Beermen playing a solid basketball despite the absence of some of their key players like Danny Seigle, Danny Ildefonso, Lordy Tugade and Marc Pingris. The difference of the team last year was that they are playing more as a team this time, and bench players are stepping up in the absence of their key players.
Here are what the Beermen have done well to create this early run which will be helpful in a tournament with fewer classification games. PLAY BIG—Even without the bulk of its frontline, San Miguel still has Dorian Peña, Mick Pennisi and Jay Washington to provide muscle inside. FREELANCE WITH FREEMAN—San Miguel opened its conference bid without an import. But when Gabe Freeman arrived, the Beermen found a versatile import who can score, rebound and run with them. He has averaged over 20 points, 12 rebounds and at least one assist per game. LAY ZONE WHEN NECESSARY—The Beermen can play a mean zone when they want to thwart incursions by opponents. This can be upsetting to teams that have great individual players. In a 122-103 blowout win against Purefoods, San Miguel mixed the zone with other defenses to frustrate the TJ Giants. It didn’t help that the Giants’ outside sniping took an unscheduled vacation that day.
DELIVER WHOEVER—Villanueva had two big games for the Beermen, then Washington, Gonzales and Hontiveros had their own big nights. Against Coca-Cola, Gonzales had 20 points, eight rebounds and two assists, proving that anyone can erupt for San Miguel.If the Beermen keep doing it this entire conference I think no one could defeat them and maybe will win the Fiesta Cup.
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