Philippine Sports News and Updates

MANILA, Philippines - Burger King, behind Arwind Santos’ key plays at the finish, foiled San Miguel Beer’s first crack at an outright semifinals entry, squeezing out a 107-105 overtime win in the Motolite PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum last night.

Santos blocked a shot by Dondon Hontiveros then scored on a jumper to clinch the win that enhanced the Whoppers’ own bid for an automatic entry into the semifinals.

The Whoppers, the losing finalists in this tournament last year, improved their win-loss record to 7-5 while dealing the Beermen their second loss in their last three games.

Despite the setback, the Beermen remained well entrenched atop the heap, needing only to win once in their last three games to make it to the semis without going through the wildcard phase.

The Beermen take their second shot at an outright semis seat against Barako Bull Energy Boosters on Friday.

“It doesn’t get any better than this, but it’s just one game. We have to win two more. We’re all trying to get nine wins,” said BK coach Yeng Guiao.

“I’m glad Arwind came through for us as he received a mouthful from me at halftime. Great players respond to adverse situation. He showed he can deliver. It just gave us confidence that we can still do it,” Guiao added.

David Noel fired 30 points, pulled down 11 rebounds and dished off seven assists as Barangay Ginebra rolled to its sixth straight victory with a 116-109 romp over Purefoods in the second game.

The victory was the Kings’ seventh overall against five losses as they forced a four-way tie with their victims, Rain or Shine and Burger King in second place.

• Philstar
• Philippine Sports Central