SMB seeks 7th victory Beermen resume quest for q’final bonus vs Elite

Games Today (Cuneta Astrodome) 4:30 p.m. – San Miguel vs Blackwater 7 p.m. – NLEX vs Meralco

Defending champion San Miguel resumes its quest to gain a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals against Blackwater while NLEX and Meralco meet in a crucial match today in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome.

With their quarterfinal entry a mere formality, the Beermen (6-1) are eager to keep their strong showing in the season-opening conference and deal the Elite (2-5) their fifth consecutive defeat in the opener set at 4:30 p.m.

But the tussle between NLEX and Meralco at 7 p.m. could overshadow the curtain raiser as the two sides need a win to stay in the playoff picture.

NLEX is coming off a moraleboosting 81-78 victory over Barangay Ginebra San Miguel last Saturday and is currently in a four-way logjam for fifth along with the latter, Phoenix and TNT KaTropa at 4-4.

Meralco and Blackwater hold identical 2-5 slates and another setback would put them in danger of missing the playoffs with three games to spare.

The Beermen regained the solo lead Sunday after rallying from a double-digit deficit to stun the Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok, 77-76, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

S a n Miguel, which bounced back from a 100-96 defeat to Ginebra last Jan. 28, is out to continue its form with Alex Cabagnot still out with an injured foot.

June Mar Fajardo, Chris Ross, Marcio Lassiter and Arwind Santos lead San Miguel to battle Matt Ganuelas-Rosser, Von Pessumal and Brian Heruela are tasked to strengthen anew the team’s bench.

Chico Lanete, whose three-pointer gave the Beermen the lead with less than two minutes left against the Hotshots, could use that heroic effort to play a prominent role off the bench.

San Miguel could be hard-pressed to beat a talented Blackwater squad led by Mac Belo, Poy Erram, Allein Maliksi, Mike DiGregorio and rookie Raymar Jose.

Meanwhile, NLEX coach Yeng Guiao and his team are confident of its playoff chances after erasing a 14point deficit to beat Ginebra behind the efforts of JR Quinahan, Cyrus Baguio, Larry Fonacier and Alex Mallari.

Rookie Kiefer Ravena, who shot 1-of-12 for seven points against the Kings, is keen on redeeming himself against the Bolts, who are in danger of a third straight losing record in the allFilipino tourney.