By Reuel Vidal

ANTIPOLO CITY?The San Miguel Beermen were less hurt by the new hand-check rule and managed to beat back the challenge of the Alaska Aces, 93-89, in the Motolite-Philippine Basketball Association Fiesta Conference at the Antipolo Ynares Center last night.

Already playing without import Nate Carter, the Beermen lost three players?Dorian Pe?a, Jay Washington and Mick Pennissi?on fouls, while four Alaska Aces in Galen Young, Jeff Cariaso, Sonny Thoss and Joe Devance trooped out on fouls.

San Miguel Beer seemed headed to an easy victory after posting an imposing 17-point bulge, 76-59, early in the fourth period. But the Aces would not give up, coming back again and again.

Thoss bullied his way inside to score on a layup and a followup of his own miss to cut the San Miguel Beer lead to only four, 84-89, with still 1:56 in the game. But he fouled out in the Aces? next defensive stand as the Beermen doused cold water on the Alaska comeback.

Jonas Villanueva played his best game of his PBA career with a game-high 27 points, while Dondon Hontiveros chipped in 22 for the Beermen.

Devance had a team-high 19 markers, while Thoss and Cariaso finished with 15 and 14 points, respectively. 

The San Miguel Beermen, who played without import Carter, who was sidelined by the flu, surprised the Aces with their opening game intensity to jump out to a 25-12 first quarter lead.

Alaska import Young, his playing minutes limited severely by early fouls, could only chalk up 12 points.

Thoss came out aggressively after the halftime break, scoring on back-to-back layups and a free throw to push the Aces within three points of the San Miguel lead, 46-43, with 9:52 to go in the third period.