GAME NOTES: GROUP A — San Miguel Beermen (0-1) vs. Taoyuan Pauian Pilots (1-0)

San Miguel seeks return to win column against P. LEAGUE+’s Taoyuan

Storylines:

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Anosike vs. Graham

SMB’s EJ Anosike and Taoyuan’s Treveon Graham are arguably the best players on their respective teams. In their East Asia Super League debuts, Anosike tallied 34 points, seven rebounds, and four assists, while Graham notched 32 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists.

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On Wednesday evening, the two will likely be assigned to guard each other.

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This matchup is intriguing because Anosike and Graham possess similar playstyles, both favoring finishes around the rim and showcasing a deep repertoire of post moves. Both players also tend to be ball-dominant, often most effective when they can hold possession for longer stretches. As a result, fans can expect a series of exciting 1-on-1 duels when the two go head-to-head.

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The winner of this matchup will likely determine the game’s outcome, as San Miguel aims to even its record at 1-1, while Taoyuan looks to join the B.LEAGUE’s Hiroshima Dragonflies atop the Group A standings at 2-0.

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Miller’s Redemption Game

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Quincy Miller (right) attempts a shot over Han Huiwon during San Miguel's Oct. 2 game against the KBL's Suwon KT Sonicboom. Miller registered just eight points on 16.7% shooting.

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Quincy Miller joined San Miguel in the offseason, bringing with him a notable pedigree. A former high school star out of North Carolina, Miller had stints in the NBA before spending most of his professional career abroad. His addition provides a versatile scoring threat to the Beermen’s roster.

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However, Miller didn’t live up to expectations in San Miguel’s EASL season opener on Oct. 2. The 6-foot-8 forward mustered just eight points on an uncharacteristic 16.7% shooting night as SMB lost 87-81 to the KBL’s Suwon KT Sonicboom. Miller’s chance for a bounce-back game comes Wednesday, in front of a home crowd at PhilSports Arena.

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Given San Miguel's offensive firepower, Miller doesn’t need to take over with an exceptional scoring night. The Beermen already have Anosike and superstar center June Mar Fajardo, who combined for 53 points against Suwon KT. All Miller needs to do is play his game, and that should be enough to secure SMB's first EASL win of the 2024-25 campaign.

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Battle On The Boards

Winning the rebounding battle will be a decisive factor on Wednesday between San Miguel and Taoyuan. In SMB’s Oct. 2 loss, Suwon KT outrebounded the Beermen 43-35, totaling several second-chance points which ultimately led to victory.

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Meanwhile, the Pauian Pilots leaned heavily on their edge on the boards to win on Oct. 23. Taoyuan secured 47 boards to Suwon KT’s 37, along with an impressive 17 on the offensive glass. Once again, it was a series of extra possessions — which led to wide-open 3’s or easy conversions around the basket — which led to a commanding 91-70 Taoyuan triumph.

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Both teams in Wednesday’s affair bring formidable inside presences in San Miguel’s Fajardo and the Pauian Pilots’ Alec Brown. Fajardo, one of the most dominant big men in Filipino basketball history, recorded nine rebounds in his sole EASL appearance, matched by Brown, a former NBA second-round draft pick.

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In their upcoming Group A showdown on Wednesday, whichever team controls the boards will likely prevail.

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San Miguel Beermen’s Players to Watch:

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#24 EJ Anosike — Forward, 6-foot-7

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2024-25 EASL Averages: 34 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists
Joined SMB in 2024
Represented Nigerian National Team in Afria’s 2024 FIBA Men's Pre-Qualifying Olympic Qualifying Tournament
2024 NBL (China) Scoring Leader with the Hefei Crazy Storm
Anosike spent time with the G-League’s Texas Legends and Salt Lake City Stars in 2023
Anosike played for fellow 2024-25 EASL team Suwon KT Sonicboom in 2022
Anosike went undrafted in the 2022 NBA Draft
Anosike attended Sacred Heart (2017-19), Tennessee (2020-21) and Cal State Fullerton (2021-22)
Anosike is from Paramus, New Jersey, USA

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#13 Marcio Lassiter — Guard, 6-foot-2

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2024-25 EASL Averages: 8 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist
Lassiter became the PBA’s all-time leader in 3-pointers made on Sep. 15.
10-time PBA Champion
8-time PBA All-Star
2022 Asian Games Gold Medalist
2018 PBA Mythical First Team
2013 PBA All-Defensive Team
2013 PBA Comeback Player of the Year
2012 PBA All-Rookie Team
Lassiter joined SMB in 2012
Selected as the 4th overall pick in the 2011 PBA Draft
Lassiter attended City College of San Francisco (2005-07) and Cal State Fullerton (2007-09)
Lassiter is from San Francisco, California, USA

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#77 Jaymar (CJ) Perez — Guard, 6-foot-2

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CJ Perez (left) looks on from the bench during San Miguel's season-opening loss to the KBL's Suwon KT Sonicboom on Oct. 2. Perez put up seven points in the defeat.

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2024-25 EASL Averages: 7 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist
2x PBA Champion (2022, 2023-24)
2024 PBA Finals MVP
2024 PBA Best Player of the Conference
2x PBA All-Star (2023, 2024)
3x PBA Mythical First Team (2019, 2023, 2024)
2021 PBA Mythical Second Team
Perez joined SMB in 2021
2019 PBA All-Defensive Team
2019 PBA Rookie of the Year
2019 PBA All-Rookie Team
Selected as the 1st overall pick in the 2019 PBA Draft
3x PBA Scoring Champion (2019, 2020, 2023)
2017 NCAA Philippines Most Valuable Player
2017 NCAA Philippines Mythical Team
Perez attended San Sebastian and Lyceum
Perez is from the Philippines. He was born in Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR

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Taoyuan Pauain Pilots’ Players to Watch:

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#30 Pai Yao-Cheng — Guard, 6-foot-0

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2024-25 EASL Averages: 16 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists
2024-25 P. LEAGUE+ Averages: 11.5 points, 4 rebounds, 4.8 assists
2023 P. LEAGUE+ Rookie of the Year
Pai joined the Taoyuan Pauian Pilots in 2022
Selected as the 3rd overall pick in the 2022 P. LEAGUE+ Draft
Pai attended I-Shou University (2017-2021)
Pai is from Chinese Taipei

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#21 Alec Brown — 7-foot-0

2024-25 EASL Averages: 29 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists
2024-25 P. LEAGUE+ Averages: 13.3 points, 9.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists
Joined the Taoyuan Pauian Pilots in 2023
Played for the NBA developmental league affiliates, Bakersfield Jam (now known as Motor City Cruise) (2015-16) and Windy City Bulls (2016-17)
Brown was selected by the Phoenix Suns with the 50th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft
2014 Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year
2-time First-Team All-Horizon League (2012, 2014)
Brown attended Green Bay College (2010-2014)
Brown is from Winona, Minnesota, USA

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#24 Treveon Graham — 6-foot-5

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2024-25 EASL Averages: 32 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists
2024-25 P. LEAGUE+ Averages: 18.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists
Joined the Pauian Pilots in 2024
Graham spent time in the NBA with the Charlotte Hornets (2016-18), Brooklyn Nets (2018-19), Minnesota Timberwolves (2019-20) and Atlanta Hawks (2020)
Graham went undrafted in the 2015 NBA Draft
2-time First-Team All-Atlantic 10 (2014, 2015)
2013 Second Team All-Atlantic 10
2015 Atlantic 10 Tournament MVP
Graham attended Virginia Commonwealth University (2011-2015)
Graham is from Washington D.C., USA

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SMB By The Numbers:

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Team History