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Beermen come up short in EASL opener
San Miguel Beermen failed to protect home court in the opening game of the East Asia Super League (EASL) Home and Away Season 2 as they succumbed to Suwon KT Sonicboom of the Korean Basketball League, 87-81, on Wednesday night, October 2, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The 6-foot-9 import of Sonicboom, Rayshaun Hammond dropped 39 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Korean squad in defeating the reigning PBA Commissioner’s Cup champion.
Hammonds even scored seven in the 9-0 blast made by Suwon at the tail end of the fourth period to give their team an 87-75 lead.
Meanwhile, Beermen import EJ Anosike led the team with 34 markers and seven boards, while PBA reigning MVP June Mar Fajardo produced 19 and 9.
At the end of first half, SMB was still leading at 43-39 but the team did not sustain their good start.
Photo Courtesy: EASL
"In the first half of this game, everybody played well, everybody played hard. It was just those small things coming to the end game that really cost us the game," said San Miguel coach Jorge Gallent.
On the side of the visitors, Suwon KT coach Son Young-jin uttered, "We execute well our game plan."
Next game for the San Miguel Beermen will be on November 13 against the Taoyuan Pauian Pilots at the PhilSports Arena.
The scores:
Suwon KT Sonicboom (87) -- Hammonds 39, Heo 17, Han 14, Ha 9, Tilmon 8, Moon 0, Choi 0, Lee 0, Moon 0, Park 0, Ko 0.
San Miguel (81) -- Anosike 34, Fajardo 19, Miller 8, Lassiter 8, Perez 7, Rosales 3, Trollano 2, Tautuaa 0, Ross 0, Cruz 0.
Quarter Scores: 23-20; 39-43; 68-62; 87-81.
