JWash stands out, Freeman records 9th straight double-double to lead SMB over Alaska

Gabe Freeman booked his ninth consecutive double-double as the San Miguel Beermen rebounded from Saturday’s stunning loss to Rain or Shine in Tacloban City with a 91-84 decision over Alaska Aces Friday night at the Araneta Coliseum.

Freeman turned in 21 points and was a monster off the board with 19 rebounds. He poured in 12 of his total points in the third quarter while teaming up with Jay Washington as the Beermen tore the game apart.

Their second win against Aces in the classification round improved SMB’s record to 9-1. The Beermen could cement their place in the semifinals of the 2009 Motolite PBA Fiesta Conference with a repeat win against Burger King on Sunday.

SMB ran away with a 114-105 victory against Burger King in their first meeting last March 8.

“Sounds corny but we’re not really thinking about making the semis outright. We’re just trying to do the right thing and let the result take care of itself,” said SMB coach Siot Tanquingcen.

The Beermen led by just three points after the first half but they opened the third quarter with a 23-8 run that stretched their margin to 70-52 with 4:26 to go in the quarter.

The league frontrunners controlled the game with tenacious defense, frustrating the Aces with quick double-teaming every time the man with the ball gets in the lane. They also contested every shot from the perimeter.

“I hope we could keep on playing the way we’re playing -- play tough defense and make sure everybody shares the ball on offense,” Tanquingcen said.

Washington took scoring honors with 21 points including 4-of-6 shooting from the 3-point range. As a team SMB made 10 of 26 attempts from the trifecta zone.

Dondon Hontiveros scored 17 points, Olsen Racela had 11 and and sophomore guard Jonas Villanueva dished out nine assists for the Beermen who had their eight-game winning streak snapped Saturday with a 78-82 loss against Rain or Shine in Tacloban City.

The Aces, who had trouble defending the lane, made the game exciting early in the fourth quarter on a 3-pointer by Brandon Cablay and baskets by Joe Devance, Rosell Ellis and Rey Hugnatan that pulled Alaska within 72-79.

But Racela quickly answered with a three on SMB’s next possession and Washington added another one and a free throw before Hontiveros knocked in his second three of the night as SMB pulled away again.

Ellis, the 2007 Fiesta Conference Best Import, scored 19 points, Devance and Willie Miller had 15 apiece and LA Tenorio added 12 for the Aces, who fell to 4-8 and in danger of finishing ninth, a they had hope to avoid.

The ninth and 10 placers after the classification round will advance to the wildcard phase against the Nos. 3 and 4 seeds, which will enjoy a twice-to-beat advantage. (DBC)

The scores:

San Miguel Beer 91 - Washington 21, Freeman 18, Hontiveros 17, Racela 11, Ildefonso 7, Pennisi 6, Villanueva 5, Pena 4, Custodio 2, Gonzales 0.

Alaska 84 - Ellis 19, De Vance 15, Miller 15, Tenorio 12, Cablay 9, Hugnatan 6, Thoss 4, Dela Cruz 4, Fonacier 0, Ferriols 0, Cariaso 0.

Quarterscores: 28-26, 47-44, 77-67, 91-84.


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