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SERVICES
THE INQUIRER COMPANY
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05
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04
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2024
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SERVICES
THE INQUIRER COMPANY
05
04
2024
The San Miguel Beermen believe they have made the most of their early exit in the recent Commissioner’s Cup, making them optimistic they can bounce back strong in the PBA Governors’ Cup.
For one, they got a needed rest aside from a good preparation that they feel can really help them take a shot at a second crown in the season following their title run in the Philippine Cup.
Coach Leo Austria and his troops open their campaign in the season-ending Governors’ Cup versus Kia at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Import AZ Reid could well give the Beermen a big edge in terms of his familiarity with his team, the opposition and the kind of play in the local pro league.
After failing to get the Beermen past the eliminations in the second conference, Reid stayed around and trained the whole time with the team.
The Beermen will be out for redemption after a poor ninth-place finish in the Commissioner’s Cup where they pulled off just four wins against seven losses.
One of the Beermen’s humbling defeats came at the hands of the Carnival, 78-88.
Despite their long preparation, Austria said they can’t take Kia for granted especially as they have no knowledge on Kia imports Hamady Barro N’Diaye and Chang Tsung-Hsien, except their credentials on the internet.
N’Diaye is a seven-foot center who has played with the Washington Wizards and the Sacramento Kings in the NBA.
He’s a Senegalese who’s been a longtime member of their national team, familiar to Filipino cage fans for his matchup with Andray Blatche during the Gilas-Senegal showdown in the 2014 FIBA World Championship.
Also shoring up the Kia lineup is Asian import Chang Tsung-Hsien, also known as Jet Chang during his stint with the Brigham Young U-Hawaii in college ball.
He was a member of the Chinese Taipei national team in the 2009 and 2011 FIBA Asia championships.
In the last Commissioner’s Cup, Kia matched San Miguel’s 4-7 slate.
The Carnival tweaked their lineup by acquiring slasher Alex Nuyles in exchange for Reil Cervantes. (SB)
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