Gonzales stars as Beermen make it 4-0

Tournament leader San Miguel Beer lost another key player -- Jay Washington -- to injury but stayed on a roll, clobbering Coca-Cola, 106-91, in the Motolite PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum Sunday.

"We're showing great potential to improve," said coach Siot Tanquingcen after his Beermen preserved their clean slate, making it four-of-four in the season-ending tourney thus far.

In all those games, the Beermen used the same formula -- well-distributed production.

Wesley Gonzales, Olsen Racela, Dorian Pena, Gabe Freeman, Dondon Hontiveros, Jonas Villanueva and Mick Pennisi tossed in at least 11 points each as they dominated Coca-Cola, handing the Tigers a third loss against a lone win.

Gonzales stood out as he dished out his best performance in a long while, piling up 20 points on 9-of-13 field-goal shooting and adding eight rebounds.

The Beermen actually started out flat but picked up their game in the second quarter, taking control in the last 36 minutes of play.

"We were playing a second straight game and the fatigue factor showed up early on. Luckily, we gained a second wind and went on to overcome a fresher Coca-Cola side," said Gonzales.

On Friday, the Beermen walloped the Purefoods Giants, 122-103, at the Araneta Coliseum.

Down by four, 23-27, at the end of the opening period, the Beermen rode high on the exploits of Gonzales, Racela and Pena as they seized control, 54-46, at the turn.

The Tigers came to within two, 54-56, early in the third period but the Beermen quickly reestablished control, 70-56, keeping their rivals at bay the rest of the way.

It was another sterling showing for the Beermen, short-handed minus the injury-stricken Washington, Danny Seigle, Danny Ildefonso, Lordy Tugade and Marc Pingris.

"We're happy with our good start in this tourney but we can't look farther. We have to take it one step at a time, one game at a time," said Tanquingcen.

Having the same thing in mind but not getting the same success were the Tigers.

J.J. Sullinger has been putting up good numbers but the Tigers, as a team, have yet to get consistent performance that could win them games. (NC)

The scores:

San Miguel 106 - Gonzales 20, Racela 16, Pena 15, Freeman 13, Hontiveros 12, Villanueva 11, Pennisi 11, Custodio 4, Bono 4, Calaguio 0.

Coke 91 - Sullinger 23, Buenafe 22, Cabagnot 11, Taulava 11, Telan 9, Dimaunahan 7, Macapagal 5, Belasco 3, Ferreria 0, Misolas 0, Santos 0.

Quarterscores: 23-27, 54-46, 81-68, 106-91.

Source: pba.ph