SMB's first win

SMB has been struggling for chemistry when they added a few number of new players on the team. This teamwork could have been their stepping stone to gain confidence and fluidity to win another championship.

After 2 painful losses, the Beermen are once again back in the ball game and tried to savor their first career-high win of the season against the Burger King Whoppers. Ball control, good defense and perfect chemistry were the points the San Miguel Beermen executed to stay on track. Even without Danny I in the ball game (because of sprained ankle), the Beermen still managed to capture the big win.

And I guess it was shining time for Arwind Santos where he came out as one hell of a Beerman.

It was at first difficult for Santos to execute what coach Siot has been trying to tell him as it was his first game against his former team, the Whoppers, but he assured everyone that he comes in prepared for the big fight and promised to go home with a win. “Suot ko ang jersey ng SMB so maglalaro ako para sa kanila”, said Santos. Another challenge is for him not playing as a front liner but rather just coming off the bench (probably just one of coach Siot’s impressively unique game plans).

Everything went a little clumsy for the Beermen at the first few minutes of the game. Petty things such as bad passes, air ball shots, back to back misses and useless fouls. But it went otherwise when Arwind Santos entered the court. He had the ball and the team in control, with his zigzag end to end fast breaks - effortlessly. He had 28 points, 18 big rebounds and 3 steals to top the record. He consistently scored 3s and 2s, survived put-backs and rebounds, great rotation and not to mention his unbelievable last-second-way-beyond-half court shot. A very good way to start the rally in motivating the team.

“Arwind is a great talent, there’s no doubt about that,” said SMB coach Siot Tanquincen. “But that alone can’t put us to the many wins that we desire. Yes indeed we won tonight but we still have to achieve greater chemistry that we need. We are still a work in progress,” he added.

Mike Cortez, Dondon Hontiveros, Mick Pennisi, Jonas Villanueva and Lordy Tugade were also some of the Beermen who scored with double digits contributing to a 117-99 SMB-Burger King game.