7-FOR-7 FOR SAN MIGUEL

Doing their homework during the league break, the San Miguel Beermen stayed on a run, moving closer to matching a franchise streak established four years ago.

Notwithstanding a 17-day breather, the Beermen sustained their hot charge, repulsing the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 102-95, in an Easter Sunday showdown in the Motolite PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum.

"A tune-up game with the Australian team, and the boys working hard in practice with each other kept us in competitive form. Somehow, medyo swerte rin because Rain or Shine missed shots they usually make," said San Miguel coach Siot Tanquingcen.


Tanquingcen and his chargers stretched their streak to seven games, one short of an eight-game run the franchise last recorded during the 2005 Fiesta Conference elimination round.

Gabe Freeman got away with 26 points and 24 rebounds and his teammates put up an effective defense to neutralize Jai Lewis as San Miguel matched Purefoods' 7-0 start in the 2007-08 Philippine Cup.

For the record, the Beermen have yet to lose a single game since bowing to the Sta. Lucia Realtors in the fight for third place in the most recent all-Filipino tourney.

The Beermen eye win No. 8 against the Coca-Cola Tigers in road game in Dubai on Friday.

"That's an acid test for test. James Penny can cause us much trouble," said Tanquingcen.

Against the usually prolific Rain or Shine import, the Beermen did a good job.

The Beermen threw Lewis out of his comfort zone, holding him down to 22 points and 12 rebounds. The former George Mason U standout averaged 26.2 points and 19.6 rebounds in his first five games in the tourney.

San Miguel stepped its effort in the third period, waging a daring breakaway and going on to secure a convincing victory.

Rain or Shine (5-3) slid to third behind San MIguel (7-0) and Sta. Lucia Realty (5-2).

Freeman tossed in 13 points and Dondon Hontiveros added six in the third quarter where the Beermen pulled away at 77-59.

The SMB import and Jay Washington churned out huge numbers right in the first half ending in favor of the Beermen at 52-47.

Freeman got 11 points and 13 rebounds while Washington tossed in 16 points, including two three-pointers, in the first 24 minutes of play.

Sol Mercado matched a career-high 29 points that went to naught on Rain or Shine's second straight defeat coming on the heels of a four-game romp.

Mercado made five triples and also came through with five assists and three rebounds in 29 minutes of action. (NC)

The scores:

San Miguel 102 -- Freeman 26, Washington 16, Villanueva 14, Racela 11, Pena 10, Hontiveros 9, Gonzales 6, Pennisi 6, Custodio 2, Pingris 2.

Rain or Shine 95 -- Mercado 29, Lewis 22, Wainwright 16, Arana 7, Salangsang 6, Norwood 5, Reyes 5, Dulay 3, Ibanes 2, Tang 0, Isip 0, Laure 0.