-
-
-
SERVICES
THE INQUIRER COMPANY
-
-
-
-
04
-
27
-
2024
-
SERVICES
THE INQUIRER COMPANY
04
27
2024
Killer homestretch.
That’s what lies ahead for the San Miguel Beermen, starting with a match with Asi Taulava and his NLEX teammates Wednesday, then their keenly awaited duels with elite rivals TNT and Alaska Milk.
“You can’t get a tougher windup than that. It’s a killer stretch,” said SMB coach Leo Austria.
The Beermen must do well in that run if they’re to clinch an automatic semifinal berth in the Smart Bro PBA Philippine Cup.
San Miguel and NLEX clash at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Cuneta Astrodome.
SMB (7-1) and Alaska Milk (7-1) are running neck-and-neck on top, followed closely by Rain or Shine (6-2). TNT and Globalport are nursing slim hopes of making the top two with their identical 5-3 slates.
Tournament format calls for the eliminations’ top two to automatically make the semis. The next eight go through a cutthroat two-phase quarterfinals stage.
“We’ll do our best to finish at least second. Masyadong mahirap dumaan sa quarterfinals. Nakakatakot yung second part ng quarterfinals which is a knockout match,” said Austria.
The Road Warriors are as determined to do good in the homestretch of the elims with their hopes to land in the Top Six.
NLEX’s aim is to secure a twice-to-beat advantage in the initial stage of the quarters.
The Road Warriors, however, have their own killer stretch run with last three assignments in the Beermen, the Barangay Ginebra Kings and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
Coach Boyet Fernandez and his troops have dropped to joint seventh with Barako Bull at 4-4 following back-to-back losses to Alaska (81-89) and Globalport (90-96).
The Road Warriors are the underdogs in each of their last three games.
Fernandez said they face a tall mountain to climb against the Beermen but they are ready to defy the odds.
“They’re a tough task but we are ready. We just have to limit Junmar Fajardo and play tough defense on the other players,” he said. “Defense will be the key if we want to steal the game.” (SB)
Follow Us
Other Stories:
Recent Stories:
Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free trial. About to step out? Get breaking alerts on your mobile.phone. Text ON INQ BREAKING to 4467, for Globe, Smart and Sun subscribers in the Philippines.