SMB fights for playoff life
Games Today (Smart Araneta Coliseum) 4:15 p.m. – Kia vs NLEX 7 p.m. – San Miguel Beer vs Talk ’N Text
San Miguel Beer (SMB) tries to keep its playoff hopes alive when it shoots for its third straight victory in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup against Talk ‘N Text today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Needless to say, a loss will be a big blow to the Beermen’s playoff bid as the team, winner of the PBA’s most recent conference, is mired in 11th spot among 12 teams.
Game time is at 7 p.m. with the Texters also eyeing a win to boost its twice-to-beat aspirations.
But SMB is expected to be in high spirits after a masterful win over Rain or Shine last Friday.
In that game, SMB drew a scorching performance from import Arizona Reid, who scored 41 points against his former team for a 129-114 victory.
That performance improved the Beermen’s record to 3-6.
The team’s win, however, was marred by a verbal tussle between the 6-foot-5 Reid and ROS mentor Yeng Guiao, who was ejected after receiving back-to-back technical fouls late in the contest.
Since replacing the ineffective Ronald Roberts Jr., Reid has averaged 30.8 points, 10.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 2.2 steals in five games.
Since Reid’s arrival, San Miguel has posted a 3-2 record. The team was 0-4 after winning the Philippine Cup in January.
Aside from Reid, SMB Coach Leo Austria will also rely on 6-foot10 June Mar Fajardo, who scored a conference-high 30 points with 19 rebounds against the Painters, Arwind Santos, Marcio Lassiter, Chris Lutz, Alex Cabagnot and Chris Ross.
TNT, on the other hand, is nursing a painful 118-117 triple overtime defeat to defending champion Purefoods Star during the Petron Saturday Special at the University of Southeastern Philippines gym in Davao City.
At the moment, the Tropang Texters are in a three-way tie with the Elasto Painters and the Hotshots all with 6-3 cards, just half-game behind leader Meralco Bolts with their 6-2 card.
At presstime, Meralco was playing Alaska and Purefoods taking on Barako Bull at the same venue.
In the first game, NLEX will play Kia at 4:15 p.m. The Road Warriors are aiming to extend their winning streak to five games against a Carnival side that will play for the first time after a long two-week break.
NLEX won over Ginebra last Wednesday, 96-90, which improved its record to 5-4 while Kia last played March 3 when it downed Alaska, 10389, as 7-foot-4 import PJ Ramos collected 36 points and 33 rebounds.