San Mig torches Columbian with 23 triples

Ravena debuts as TNT coach vs Rain or Shine

Game Today (Passi City, Iloilo) 5 p.m. – TNT KaTropa vs Rain or Shine

San Miguel Beer hit 23 three-pointers to tie a single-game league record as it recovered from a rollercoaster first half to clobber winless Columbian Dyip, 143-119, last night in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Beermen flipped the switch after losing an 11-point lead in the second to trail 66-64 at the half and erupted for 43 points in the third while limiting the Dyip to just 18 on their way to secure their second win in three outings this conference.

Import Arizona Reid and Marcio Lassiter accounted for half of the Beermen’s output in that decisive third, though coach Leo Austria also credited the timely defense his team put up after the intermission.

“We gave up 66 points in the first half and that’s not a sign of good defense,” Austria said. “Fortunately, our offense was superb in this game and we stepped up our defense in the third.”

Lassiter made 10 of 17 shots for 28 points while Reid scored 14 of 16 points in the third while adding 17 rebounds, 11 assists and six steals to complete a triple-double.

SMB’s three-point production tied the mark set twice by TNT KaTropa.

Meanwhile, former player Bong Ravena was appointed head coach of struggling TNT KaTropa in time for today’s PBA Governors’ Cup match against debuting Rain or Shine at the City of Passi Arena in Iloilo.

Eric Gonzales, who called the shots on an interim basis when TNT produced a 118-114 overtime win over Columbian Dyip last Sept. 2, will move back to his role as assistant.

Ravena, whose KaTropa face the Elasto Painters in the 5 p.m. Petron Saturday Special contest, is expected to get some help from consultant Mark Dickel, the former New Zealand national player who was tapped by management earlier this month.