San Miguel beats Coke the hard way

San Miguel beats Coke the hard way

By Arman Carandang

11/13/2008

San Miguel Beer stretched its bench to its fullest during crunch time to quell Coca-Cola’s challenge, 89-86, in a game coach Siot Tanquincen said he didn’t expect to end the hard way in the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome last night.

“We didn’t expect to win this close, but we didn’t also take Coca-Cola for granted,” said Tanquincen, somewhat stunned by the Tigers’ challenge.

“As I have said very often, Coke will be a force to reckon with as the season progresses. It’s a good thing we won, but we won it the hard way,” added Tanquincen, whose Beermen have now notched their seventh win in nine outings to tie Alaska Milk at the top.

The Beermen were actually in for strong wind-up when they posted an 86-76 lead entering the last 1:09 minutes.

The Beermen found the Tigers clawing back into contention as Alex Cabagnot, who scored Coke’s last seven points, shoved the Tigers within 86-88 on two charities off Mark Pingris with 8.3 seconds left.

In the ensuing play, Mic Pennisi, who drew a foul from Asi Taulava, split his free throws, 89-86, with coach Kenneth Duremdes suing for time to design game-tying play.

The Tigers failed to carry out their last play, with Cabagnot missing a three-point try at the buzzer. The Tigers reeled to their sixth loss in nine games.

Pennisi finished with 18 points and nine rebounds, while four others — Dondon Hontiveros, Wesley Gonzales, Lordy Tugade and Pingris — turned in twin-digit outputs for the Beermen, who trailed midway in the second quarter at 29-38.

Meanwhile, RP team coach Yeng Guiao will meet today with the members of PBA Board of Governors and league commissioner Renauld “Sonny” Barrios to discuss the all-pro team’s preparation for the Fiba-Asia Championship next year.

Source: http://www.tribune.net.ph/sports/20081113spo4.html