Blackwater unfazed ahead of SMB clash
Even without its most prized
center San Miguel Beer remains a lethal force in the PBA Governors Cup.
So Blackwater coach Bong Ramos knows exactly what his Elite must do when they tangle with the Beermen tonight at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Game time is at 4:30 p.m.
"Defense is the key," said Ramos on the eve of the match which has each of the combatants eyeing to notch a second win in as many games.
Case in point for Ramos is the way the Beermen walloped NLEX 125-112 in its conference debut last Saturday, even without Fajardo, who is due to be out seven more weeks due to a fractured shin.
Indefatigable Christian Standhardinger, newly arrived from his Asian Games stint, came off the bench to score a PBA career-high 36 points on top of 11 boards. AZ Reid, Alex Cabagnot and Marcio Lassiter also came up with significant contributions.
If its own rousing start in the season-ending conference is to be the gauge, Blackwater should prove to be a handful for SMB.
In the main game at 7 p.m, reigning Governors Cup back-to-back champ Barangay Ginebra wants a third straight win tucked under its belt against NorthPort Batang Pier before taking another respite as the league gives way to the September window of the FIBA World Cup qualifier. —
com
PBA.