MANILA – San Miguel Beermen barged to the semifinals round of the East Asia League Terrific 12 after dethroning Ryukyu Golden Kings, 101-92, at the Tap Seac Multisport Pavilion in Macau, China.
Reinforcement Dez Wells led the way for the Beermen with 42 points, including several highlight-reel dunks, while Terrence Romeo waxed hot from outside to contribute 18 markers.
Lester Prosper contributed 18 points and five rebounds as Ilonggo Paul Zamar contributed nine markers.
The Beermen will face the Lance Stephenson-led Liaoning Flying Leopards in the semifinals tonight.
The Beermen had a flat start as they went down 4-12 before Wells and Romeo spearheaded the attack to take a 31-24 edge. It was all Beermen since then. The lead went up to its biggest at 92-77 in the fourth quarter.
“We knew this would be a difficult game for us after their (Kings) loss on Wednesday. They will come out fighting hard because they’re the defending champions,” said Beermen coach Leo Austria.
American reinforcement Demon Brooks finished with double-double 34 points and 11 rebounds while Ryuichi Kishimoto chipped in 12 markers for the dethroned champions Kings.
Meanwhile, TNT KaTropa capped off its campaign on a winning note after a 99-90 victory over Albirex Niigata Basketball. KJ McDaniels tallied double-double 47 points and 17 rebounds for the KaTropa./PN
