San Miguel turned back by Suwon KT in EASL opening
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San Miguel turned back by Suwon KT in EASL opening
Rom Anzures,
ABS-CBN News
Published Oct 02, 2024 08:29 PM PHT
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Updated Oct 02, 2024 09:52 PM PHT

San Miguel import EJ Anosike against Suwon KT in the 2024-25 Season of the East Asia Super League opening at the Mall of Asia Arena. Handout Photo

MANILA (UPDATED) — The San Miguel Beermen were tripped by Suwon KT Sonic Boom to open the East Asia Super League 2024-2025 Season.
MANILA (UPDATED) — The San Miguel Beermen were tripped by Suwon KT Sonic Boom to open the East Asia Super League 2024-2025 Season.
Despite a solid showing after the first 20 minutes of gameplay, the perennial PBA powerhouse succumbed to the Korean Basketball League (KBL) squad, 87-81, during their Wednesday evening faceoff at the MOA Arena in Pasay City.
Despite a solid showing after the first 20 minutes of gameplay, the perennial PBA powerhouse succumbed to the Korean Basketball League (KBL) squad, 87-81, during their Wednesday evening faceoff at the MOA Arena in Pasay City.
EJ Anosike led the Beermen with 34 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals, while June Mar Fajardo posted 19 markers, nine rebounds, and an assist in more than 28 minutes of action.
EJ Anosike led the Beermen with 34 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals, while June Mar Fajardo posted 19 markers, nine rebounds, and an assist in more than 28 minutes of action.
Equipped with a 43-39 lead at halftime, San Miguel saw their lead disappear after Rayshaun Hammonds erupted for 19 of his total point production in that span, and this allowed Suwon KT to outscore the Nationals in that quarter, 29-19.
Equipped with a 43-39 lead at halftime, San Miguel saw their lead disappear after Rayshaun Hammonds erupted for 19 of his total point production in that span, and this allowed Suwon KT to outscore the Nationals in that quarter, 29-19.
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"In the first half of this game, everybody played great and hard. As for us, it was just those small things coming into the end game that cost us the game," Beermen head coach Jorge Gallent shared on why they fell short of holding on to their decent play in the first half.
"In the first half of this game, everybody played great and hard. As for us, it was just those small things coming into the end game that cost us the game," Beermen head coach Jorge Gallent shared on why they fell short of holding on to their decent play in the first half.
Gallent also offered no excuses despite juggling their assignments between the EASL and their ongoing playoff campaign in the PBA.
Gallent also offered no excuses despite juggling their assignments between the EASL and their ongoing playoff campaign in the PBA.
"I don't think [it affected us]. We practiced for just an hour yesterday, and we just watched the video of who we played now. EJ was even a huge factor because he came from this team. He helped us a lot in scouting the players," said the PBA champion coach.
"I don't think [it affected us]. We practiced for just an hour yesterday, and we just watched the video of who we played now. EJ was even a huge factor because he came from this team. He helped us a lot in scouting the players," said the PBA champion coach.
On the other hand, Suwon KT's coach Song Young-Jin shared his perspective on what changed in their performance in the last 20 minutes of action.
On the other hand, Suwon KT's coach Song Young-Jin shared his perspective on what changed in their performance in the last 20 minutes of action.
"Obviously, we wanted more transition offense but it didn't work out in the first half. In the second half, we wanted to make [June Mar Fajardo] work on defense, and that was the adjustment that we made," Young-Jin shared.
"Obviously, we wanted more transition offense but it didn't work out in the first half. In the second half, we wanted to make [June Mar Fajardo] work on defense, and that was the adjustment that we made," Young-Jin shared.
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Sonic Boom eventually led by as much as 12 in the final quarter, 87-75, after another Hammonds three-pointer with only 2:09 left in the contest as he continued his onslaught.
Sonic Boom eventually led by as much as 12 in the final quarter, 87-75, after another Hammonds three-pointer with only 2:09 left in the contest as he continued his onslaught.
SMB was then able to cut the lead to single digits later on after a series of buckets by Fajardo and Anosike, but that was the nearest that they could get as time had already expired.
SMB was then able to cut the lead to single digits later on after a series of buckets by Fajardo and Anosike, but that was the nearest that they could get as time had already expired.
Meanwhile, Hammonds led the visiting squad with a game-high 39 points on top of 14 rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
Meanwhile, Hammonds led the visiting squad with a game-high 39 points on top of 14 rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
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