SMB the "powerhouse beermen"

Jay Washington was like a man on a mission in facing his former team.

Self-motivated, the three-year pro put up big numbers, and the San Miguel Beermen got past the Talk n Text Tropang Texters, 84-77, to seize solo third place in the KFC PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum last night."They shouldn't have given me up," said Washington later when asked of his message to Talk n Text.

"He played well and it came out naturally. Ganadong-ganado at gigil na gigil sa practice pa lang," said coach Siot Tanquingcen of their new recruit.Averaging 10.7 points and 9.3 rebounds going into the game, Washington outdid himself, coming through with 21 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Beermen to a third straight win following a losing season debut against the Alaska Aces."It feels good to make it three in a row.But I have to insist it's a long season and we still have to work on a lot of things to be where we want it to be in the end," said Tanquingcen.

Dorian Pena and Mick Pennisi combined for 27 rebounds while Dondon Hontiveros and Bonbon Custodio scored 21 points between them, helping San Miguel deal Talk n Text a second loss in four starts.A franchise worst field-goal shooting of 29.5 percent didn't help the Tropang Texters in their bid.They took 48 attempts from beyond the arc, converting only 10. It was the second most number of three-point attempts made by a team in the league, next to the 51 of Tanduay in 1986.

The Texters came out flat, converting their first basket courtesy of Mark Cardona with already three minutes into the contest.The Beermen started with a 9-0 run and dominated the Texters almost throughout the contest.The Texters actually got into the groove of things in the second half but the Beermen weren't fazed, completing the job with Washington himself delivering the winning plays.Washington twice scored on an assist from Hontiveros, and the Beermen settled the outcome of the game at 82-76 with time down to 50 seconds.

"I'm facing my former team and I was aching to win," said Washington.

The scores: San Miguel 84 --

Washington 21, Hontiveros 11, Custodio 10,Tugade 9, Pennisi 9, Pena 7, Pingris 6, Racela 5, Villanueva 4, Bono 2, Cortez 0.

Talk n Text 77 -- Cardona 27, Allado 15, Alapag 9, Ritualo 9, Carey 8, Fillinger 7, Castro 2, Reyes 0, Aljamal 0, De Ocampo 0.

Quarterscores: 27-21, 52-41, 68-68, 84-77