Beermen, Bolts target piece of lead
Reigning PBA Philippine Cup three-peat champ San Miguel Beer and Governors Cup back-to-back finalist Meralco face off in a key showdown to headline the league’s penultimate playdate this year at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo.
Before heading to their holiday break, the Beermen and the Bolts take a shot at a share of the lead with the NLEX Road Warriors (2-0) as they tangle at 7 p.m., after the 4:15 tiff between the Phoenix Fuel Masters and the Kia Picanto.
The Fuel Masters and the Picanto both look to bounce back from a losing opening season debut.
The Beermen showed their old awesome form in repulsing the Fuel Masters, 104-96, on opening day while the Bolts went on a rollercoaster ride before eventually fending off the Blackwater Elite, 103-98, last Friday.
But with its lethal core group made up of June Mar Fajardo, Arwind Santos, Alex Cabagnot, Chris Ross and Marcio Lassiter, San Miguel is the clear favorite over Meralco.
The Bolts, however, vow to come out fighting although they have to deal not only with SMB’s star-studded roster but also the absence of Ranidel de Ocampo and Cliff Hodge, who are both still nursing injuries.
“Going up against San Miguel Beer is always a tough challenge because of their talent and size,” said Meralco coach Norman Black. “Focus will be on trying to defend the paint versus June Mar while also doing a good job of closing out on their shooters. We will still be undermanned but we will be out there fighting to pick up a win,” said Black.
SMB coach Leo Austria, meanwhile, challenges his team to be always on their toes, aware of the other teams’ battlecry which is “beat San Miguel.”
“They all beefed up their respective lineups and they’re all after us,” said Austria.
“Many people were saying we’re the team to beat. But there are many tough teams out there. Ginebra has twin towers to match up with June Mar. NLEX looks very capable and TNT had its offseason training abroad,” Austria also said.
Meralco could well be among San Miguel’s tough challengers.
Even minus De Ocampo and Hodge, the Bolts showed a good potential in their fivepoint win over the Elite.