Columbian offers first test for Tautuaa with Beermen
There’s a rumor floating around that Columbian coach Johnedel Cardel is quick to laugh off.
“Umiikot sa circle ng mga kaibigan ko, na San Miguel (Beer) pulled off that trade para sa amin. Nagpapalakas sila para sa amin,” related Cardel, referring to the deal approved last Tuesday that netted the Grand Slamseeking Beermen Mo Tautuaa from NorthPort for Christian Standhardinger.
That is a nice thought if it’s true, but Cardel knows otherwise.
“Talagang nagpalakas sila because of their ulterior motive,” explained Cardel. “It just so happened nga lang na kami first test nila with Tautuaa, to play with him in a real game.”
Cardel was speaking of his side’s collision with SMB Sunday, a match that should prove crucial in the protagonists’ respective bids in the PBA Governors Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Game time is 4:30 p.m.
Each side is looking to bounce back from a loss and resume its drive for inclusion in the eight-team quarterfinals.
For SMB, a win would even enhance its bid to finish the 11-game eliminations among the top four and earn a twice-to-beat advantage over a lower-ranked opponent in the next round.
Columbian simply wants to advance past the elims and would move closer towards that goal should it complete its season dominance over SMB, which it has beaten in both the Philippine and Commissioner’s Cups.
Cardel is not so sure this time around.
“Iyung mga nauna naming panalo sa kanila came early in the tournament, nu’ng may mga hangover pa sila sa championship, hindi pa sila masyadong buo,” he pointed out.
“Iba ngayon,” Cardel added. “Ang ganda ng umpisa nila, nag-4-0, tapos halos midway in the tournament na.”
Even Tautuaa gelling with his new teammates and vice-versa should not be a concern for SMB, according to Cardel.
“Adjustment nila iisang player lang naman, so I think hindi advantage sa amin iyon,” Cardel stated. —