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Source: abs-cbnnews.com

-- Arwind Santos scored a career-high 33 points to power San Miguel Beer to its sixth straight victory over Barako Bull, 104-89, Sunday night in the KFC-Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

The former Far Eastern University star also added 8 rebounds and 6 assists in a stellar performance as the Beermen climbed up to the team standings with 6-2 mark.

Dondon Hontiveros added 21 points while Dennis Miranda chipped in 17 off the bench for coach Siot Tanquingcen.

“I warned the players before the game not to take this team for granted because they have the talent to beat us,” said Tanquingcen, who also drew 10 markers from Mike Cortez.

“Buti na lang they responded because the most important thing is to respect your opponent,” Tanquingcen added.

Jonas Villanueva, the Finals MVP in the team’s title conquest of the Fiesta Cup over Barangay Ginebra, handed out a game-high 11 assists.

San Miguel managed to keep the streak despite the absence of key big men in Danny Ildefonso, Anthony Washington and Danny Seigle due to injuries.

“The players cover each other up. Kapag binigyan ka ng Diyos ng problema, bibigyan ka rin ng solusyon. Wala ‘yong big men namin, tinulak kami sa mga guwardya. Somehow, it worked well,” Tanquingcen said.

And Santos was the one who covered that spot well as he hit a personal-high 33 markers, erasing his previous high of 32 he netted while playing for Air21 two seasons ago against Barangay Ginebra.

Former San Beda standout Yousif Aljamal led the Energy Boosters with a career-high 21 points. Paolo Hubalde also had a personal-best 20.

Rookie Ogie Menor also had a career-high 18, 14 came in the first half, but was thrown out in the game after committing a flagrant foul penalty two on Dondon Hontiveros late in the third period.

He had 7 points in the second period where Barako Bull outscored the heavily-favored Beermen, 31-18, to slice the 31-14 first-quarter lead to just 45-49 entering the second half.

But San Miguel, behind the 10-point outburst of Santos, extended the spread to 9 late in the third, 69-60, to seize the momentum.

The Energy Boosters, who fell to 2-5 with the loss, kept on fighting and even threatened at 72-74 on Hubalde’s jumper before Miranda, Cortez and Santos joined forces for a decisive 16-6 run spurt for a comfortable 90-78 lead with 3:40 remaining.

Leo Najorda and Aris Dimaunahan contributed 10 apiece for Barako Bull.

Giants blank Painters

Purefoods Tender Juicy bounced back from its worst loss this conference meanwhile as it dismantled Rain or Shine, 103-69, for its fourth victory in 7 games.

Rookie Rico Maiehofer had another sold double-double game for the Giants with 15 points and 11 rebounds to go along with his 3 blocks.

James Yap and Don Allado added 14 markers apiece for coach Ryan Gregorio, whose team has yet to win back-to-back in the tournament. Kerby Raymundo finished with 13 points.

Ryan Arana had a game-high 20 points for the Elasto Painters, who were fresh from an 86-81 upset win over league-leader Alaska.

“We knew, they are coming off a highly emotional win over Alaska so we capitalized on their weary legs,” said Gregorio.

“We did a tremendous job on challenging their shooters. We had enough time to plan things out after our loss against San Miguel,” he added.

The 34-point win of Purefoods was most of the franchise since its 111-73 triumph over Coca-Cola last December 13, 2006.

Gabe Norwood added 13 points for Rain or Shine, which fell to 1-7 in the team standing.