Eastern had played four games since Dec. 15, including an East Asia Super League match against San Miguel in Hong Kong.
Eastern survived a hectic schedule, capping it with twin victories over San Miguel with the latest a 99-91 thumping in overtime in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup on Sunday, Dec. 22.
After beating the Beermen in the East Asia Super League four days ago in Hong Kong, Eastern scored a repeat to improve to a 6-2 card.
“It’s not easy to beat any team twice in a row especially San Miguel which is a very good team,” said Eastern coach Mensur Bajramovic.
“Our target tonight is to play defense with more energy to neutralize their style, what they’re doing on offense. And we did it pretty good.”
Indeed, the visiting squad did a tremendous job in the defensive department, forcing San Miguel to commit 22 turnovers while scoring 25 off of them. Eastern also had 15 steals.
Eastern was far from this form when it dropped a 113-120 loss to NorthPort last Dec. 20.
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Glen Yang said the team's hectic schedule got to them. After all, they played four games since Dec. 15.
“I think the travel schedule got to us last game. It’s no excuse, but we definitely felt it. I think you could see that in the defensive end,” Yang said.
“We know were going to bring it tonight. We showed more of who we really are tonight.”
Yang scored seven points in the extra period, including the go-ahead triple off a Hayden Blankley kickout with 43.5 ticks left.
He finished with a PBA career-high of 26 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals.
Chris McLaughlin had 18 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and five steals, while Blankley fired 15 points.
New SMB import Jabari Narcis paced the team with 28 points and 10 rebounds but that proved futile.
June Mar Fajardo added 23 points, 18 rebounds, five assists, and two blocks for San Miguel, which now holds a pedestrian 3-3 win-loss record.
The Scores (OT):
EASTERN 99 – Yang 26, McLaughlin 18, Blankley 15, Lam 13, Chan 10, Pok 6, Cao 5, Guinchard 3, Zhu 2, Cheung 1, Xu 0
SAN MIGUEL 91 – Narcis 28, Fajardo 23, Perez 18, Lassiter 13, Rosales 3, Trollano 2, Tautuaa 2, Cruz 2, Ross 0, Tiongson 0, Brondial 0, Cahilig 0
Quarterscores: 22-20, 51-41, 69-64, 98-87, 99-91