A twin SMC-MVP Group showdown, PBA semifinals gets underway today

It’s a twin SMC-MVP Group semis affair, and on one side is a matchup pitting the old kingpin versus a team aspiring to become the new PBA king.

Both are highly motivated as former five-time allFilipino champ San Miguel Beer and breakthrough-seeking Meralco clash in their side of the PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven semifinal face-off starting at 6 p.m. today (Wednesday, August 3) at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Beermen are fresh from a weeklong breather and coming in from a murderous run that saw them top the eliminations then thunder past the Blackwater Bossing, 123-93, in their quarterfinals clash.

The Bolts, meanwhile, are prepped up by a big breakthrough versus many-time playoffs tormentor Barangay Ginebra, finally getting over the hump with their 106-104 cliffhanger of a win in a do-or-die setto Sunday at the MOA Arena in Pasay City.

Finally getting past coach Tim Cone and the Gin Kings, caretaker coach Luigi Trillo and the Bolts booked a fifth straight semis for the franchise, but have found themselves ranged against the powerhouse SMB team as they seek to stretch their breakthrough ride.

But there’s no turning back for Chris Newsome and his teammates.

Nonetheless, the consensus is that June Mar Fajardo and his teammates are the heavy favorites versus Bolts, especially with SMB’s healthier lineup now.

The Beermen are determined to go back to the top after disappointing performances since their foiled grand slam bid in 2019.

All tournament long, the Beermen have been expressing their desire to reclaim the Emilio Bernardino Trophy.

In the other semis duel set at 3 p.m., expect an intense collision between two equally-determined combatants when TNT and Magnolia collide.

No less than Hotshots coach Chito Victolero thinks so. “It’s gonna be a dogfight,” he said. “Magandang matchup kasi both teams halos pareho style. Defensive mindset, pressure defense, kasi guards nila pesky din.”

“We’re playing the hottest team in the league, winning nine of their last 10 games,” countered Tropang Giga coach Chot Reyes. “It will take our best to be competitive.”

Adding spice to the best-of-seven duel is the fact it is a rematch of last year’s finals, in which TNT emerged champion after needing just five games to dispose of Magnolia.

The Tropa also beat the Hotshots, 78-72, in their lone elimination round meeting last June 5. —