MANILA, Philippines - San Miguel Beer showed little rust in running roughshod over B-Meg Derby Ace, 101-88, to gain the headstart in the PBA Fiesta Conference best-of-seven semifinal series Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Beermen, who hadn’t played since beating the Llamados in a playoff for the last automatic semis slot last July 2, detonated a devastating second half bomb that took the fight out of a weary B-Meg team that previously went through a draining five-game quarters with Rain or Shine.

Jay Washington spearheaded the Beermen’s attack with 28 points, 10 boards and four assists, presiding over a 35-13 exchange that ripped the game wide open for SMB, 79-55, late in the third.

They did this by holding down the Llamados to a measly 6-of-20 shooting (30 percent) and dominating the boards, 21-6, while playing more as a team, handing out 10 assists, in the fateful third.

“The key was our defense in the second half,” said SMB coach Siot Tanquingcen, whose wards fought the Llamados to a 44-all standoff after two quarters. “In the first half, our defense was quite spotty, we had many lapses and gave B-Meg open looks that we know they can make.”

Washington fired 14 in the fateful third as the Beermen seized control of the series opener and never allowed the Llamados to come closer than 12 markers.

“Jay Washington was big for us tonight. He’s not only scoring, he’s passing the ball well and playing good defense, and that’s a big plus for us,” the SMB mentor said.

Alaska also raced to a 1-0 lead after shocking top seed Talk ’N Text, 104-88, behind what Aces coach Tim Cone called a “picture-perfect second half” in terms of offense and defense.

The Aces got the usual numbers from starters, led by Diamon Simpson (19 points, 16 rebounds and four assists) and Joe De Vance (19 markers and three assists) but gained further from their bench players, headed by Reynel Hugnatan (16 points and five caroms).

“The starters did what they’re supposed to do but the real key was the guys coming off the bench who played with so much energy, especially Reynel, who was incredible,” Cone said.

De Vance fired 10 in the third as the Aces grabbed a 13-point spread, 78-65. Hugnatan then delivered the fatal blows in the fourth, unloading 10 in an 18-2 assault that put Alaska safely ahead, 100-76. even as Arwind Santos, who was tasked to shackle B-Meg’s explosive import Tony Washam, chipped in 15, the same output as Dondon Hontiveros.

B-Meg drew 24 from James Yap, who’s continued to be bothered by a swollen left eye he suffered in the Rain or Shine series, and 23 from Washam, who appeared drained from a 49-point, 52-minute effort in the Llamado’s Game 5 quarters tussle with RoS and affected stomach problems.

“As expected, we’re not just a step late, we’re at least three or four steps late. Sometimes, even if the mind is willing, the body can’t dictate what to do,” said B-Meg coach Ryan Gregorio, who also noted how the Beermen played as a better team with a 28-10 edge in that department.

“San Miguel looks sharp. For us, the emotion took the energy away after going through a draining quarterfinal series,” he added.