Games Wednesday (Araneta Coliseum)
5 p.m. — Talk ‘N Text vs Coca-Cola
7:30 p.m. — San Miguel vs Purefoods

After rebounding from two setbacks, San Miguel Beer is looking every bit of a championship contender in the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup.

On Saturday, the Beermen extended their winning streak to four games, downing Sta. Lucia Realty, 88-69, in the PBA road game presented by Phoenix Fuel in Victorias City, Negros Occidental.

SMB coach Siot Tanquincen credited his players for working hard and putting behind the team’s poor start.

“With the addition of Arwind Santos and Denok Miranda, the team had problems with chemistry,” SMB team manager Hector Calma said Sunday.

“But now their roles are defined and they’re showing great teamwork with the other guys.”

“Now maganda na pinakikita ng team, hopefully we can continue on that as the gpoing gets tough this conference,” Tanquincen said.

Arwind Santos, a pre-season acquisition together with Denok Miranda, led SMB with 21 points, 16 of which came in the first three quarters.

Because of their success in the import-laced tournament, San Miguel was installed as one of the teams to beat in the all-Filipino conference. Add to the equation the arrival of Santos, who was acquired from Burger King, and Miranda, who was part of a deal with SLR.

But things didn’t start well for the Beermen.

Barangay Ginebra handed San Miguel an 86-98 beating in their season debut last Oct. 14. Three days later, Alaska Milk inflicted another blow, a 74-85 defeat in Panabo City.

Tanquincen’s team finally barged into the win column with a rousing 117-99 win opposite Burger King last Oct. 21. They also humbled defending Philippine Cup champion Talk ‘N Text, 100-90, in a match between pre-season favorites, and kept Rain or Shine winless with a 93-77 win.

In that game, Lordy Tugade scored 16 points, all in a big fourth quarter run where he went perfect 3-of-3 from the three-point territory.

Tugade’s fourth quarter explosion typified San Miguel’s deep offensive arsenal despite the absence of veteran forward Danny Ildefonso.

Against Sta. Lucia Realty, Dorian Pena contributed 14 points, Dondon Hontiveros added 13 markers, while Miranda came off the bench to finish with 10 against his former team. Tugade also had 10 as a back-up to Santos.

Gabby Espinas led SLR with 17 points and Joseph Yeo 16 for the Realtors.

SLR dropped to 3-3.

San Miguel displayed toughness on the defensive end when it limited SLR to 11 points, turning a 24-17 lead to 48-28 at halftime.