San Miguel Beer extended its winning streak to eight games after thumping Talk ‘N Text, 98-87 in the 2009 Motolite-PBA Fiesta Conference.

The Beermen will gain an automatic semi-final seat if it wins Sunday night at the Araneta Coliseum.

After a long rest from hardcourt action because of the All-Star Week, San Miguel Beer hardly showed any rust as it continued its run to hand Tropang Texters its first loss in their last four games.

Gabe Freemen top scored with 24 points for San Miguel but the locals also shared big numbers to remain unbeaten with 8-0 mark.

“Focus lang kami, we don’t look that far ahead,” said SMB coach Siot Tanquingcen. who also drew 18 points from Dondon Hontiveros.

Olsen Racela and Anthony Washington contributed 13 and 12 markers for the Beermen.

Jason Castro and Jimmy Alapag each had 15 points for Talk ‘N Text, which got a lackluster performance from import Tiras Wade who had only six points on 2-of-11 shooting.

Chandler powers Giants

In the second game, Marquin Chandler drained a game-high 30 points to go with 12 rebounds in his return to Purefoods Tender Juicy. He led his team to a 92-85 win over Coca-Cola.

Chandler unloaded 11 of his total output in the fourth quarter, helping Purefoods improve to a 5-4 win-loss slate.

“All worth, we patiently waited because Marquin provides stability in the team,” said Giants head coach Ryan Gregorio who also got 22 points from James Yap.

The Tigers, who dropped to 2-6, came out firing after the half time break to outscore the Giants, 71-64.

The Giants then unloaded a telling 22-8 run capped by Kerby Raymundo’s three-pointer to take back the lead, 86-79, with 3:31 remaining.

Coke, which missed the services of head coach Kenneth Duremdes due to sore eyes, scored the next four points to threaten at 83-86.

Yap, however, hit a difficult jumper and Peter June Simon added a pair of free throws on Nic Belasco’s flagrant foul 2 to seal the win for Purefoods.