(CNN Philippines) — San Miguel Beermen bucked a sluggish start to trounce the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters, 101-96, in their Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup match at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum Tuesday (June 9).
Following a dismal 0-2 win-loss record, the Beermen rolled on to their seventh straight victory, their longest winning stretch under head coach Leo Austria.
More importantly, San Miguel Beer is already assured of a quarterfinal berth with a 7-2 card in the season-ending conference.
“I’m happy to see my players not giving up especially after the first quarter,” said Austria moments after the game.
Austria said it was import Arizona Reid who put the out-of-sync team on track.
“AZ was able to lead the team. Tumaas boses niya at he motivated his teammates, who responded naman,” he said of his reinforcement.
Reid scored 29 points for the Beermen, who dealt Talk ‘N Text its fourth straight loss.
Marcio Lassiter and Arwind Santos added 15 and 14 points, respectively.
The Tropang Texters reeled to a 3-5 haul for a share of the eighth spot with Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.
Jayson Castro paced Talk ‘N Text with 25 points, while import Steffphon Pettigrew had 17 points.
