It was indeed a sizzling Metro Manila on Saturday afternoon, when the Philippines’ San Miguel Beer downed Vietnam’s Saigon Heat, 71-69, to clinch its 12th straight win in the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL), at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
 
But the two-point lead failed to impress Beermen coach Leo Austria, saying, “My players were complacent because of the win streak. Bad habits showed up. We can’t play like this in the playoffs.”
 
Brian Williams had 19 points as against Heat’s David Palmer, who finished with 24 points and 14 rebounds while Asi Taulava had 18 points against Justin Howard’s 19.
 
This was Saigon Heat’s 13th straight defeat and 14th overall in 17 games.
 
Now at 15-3, the Beermen will have their acid test when they play against the Indonesia Warriors, who are 13-4, next week.
 
ABL said the Beermen had to recover from Chris Sumalinog’s missed 3-pointer as the buzzer sounded, in order to ensure their stronghold to the top spot of the ABL standings table.
 
Taulava was unstoppable early on the post in the fourth quarter, after dedicating his game to his newborn daughter. Afterwards, he reiterated his refusal to retire despite having celebrated his 40th birthday last month.
 
“I just keep pushing myself,” he was quoted by the ‘Philippine Daily Inquirer’ as saying. “They say that when you’re 40, it’s time to hang up your sneakers. I’m not ready yet.”
 
On a lay-up off a nice bounce pass from Justin Williams, Taulava scored and gave the Beermen a 68-63 lead with 5.48 left.
 
David Palmer registered 24 points with 14 rebounds while Justin Howard finished with 19 points and 12 rebounds and Jai Reyes added 16 points for the Heat.
 
Scoreboard:
 
San Miguel Beer (Beermen) 71—B. Williams 19, Taulava 18, J. Williams 8, Acuña 7, Avenido 6, Hubalde 4, Cawaling 3, Fortuna 2, Thiele 2, Rizada 2, Menk 0.
 
Saigon (Heat) 69—Palmer 24, Howard 19, Reyes 16, Sumalinog 4, Ngo 3, Gonzales 3.
 
Quarters: 17-19, 36-29, 57-53, 71-69