E-PAINTERS, BEERMEN CLASH IN CRUCIAL TIFF
Rain or Shine and San Miguel Beer return from the All-Star break Friday, clashing in a crucial encounter in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Elasto Painters press their bid for a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals while the Beermen fight for dear life as they square off at 7 p.m.
ROS coach Yeng Guiao feels San Miguel is getting a fresh start and he’s particularly wary of June Mar Fajardo and their former import Arizona Reid.
“San Miguel is a stronger team than what its win-loss record shows. Winning the All-Filipino put SMB in a state of complacency, but they are bound to snap out of it anytime as they know the urgency of the situation,” said Guiao.
“June Mar and AZ are the primary matchup headaches. (Wayne) Chism will have his hands full versus June Mar while our locals will have to deal with AZ,” Guiao also said.
With a 5-2 win-loss record, the E-Painters can’t also afford to relax if they’re to stay in strong contention for the Top Two and its twice-to-beat bonus in the quarterfinals.
“Crucial na laban talaga ito kasi nakataya yung laban nila for twice-to-beat samantalang outright elimination naman ang hinaharap namin,” said SMB coach Leo Austria.
“Masyado kaming naiwan pero upbeat pa rin ang team. Naka-recover at recharged na ang team going into this game. Ang feeling nga namin, kung ngayon pa lang magsisimula ang conference, hindi mangyayari ang mga bagay na nangyari sa amin,” Austria also said.
For one, the All-Star break has helped Fajardo recover from his injury.
“May limp pa nang konti pero okay na sya. He can play definitely,” said Austria of their ace center who missed the Palawan All-Star festivities due to an ankle sprain.
San Miguel Beer fought with great determination with its back against the wall, clobbering Barako Bull, 102-91, to keep its flickering playoff hopes alive before the All-Star Weekend.
With Fajardo sidelined early by an injury, Reid, Arwind Santos, Alex Cabagnot and Doug Kramer carried the load as the Beermen chalked up a second win against six defeats.
“The guys initiated a move. They had a meeting among themselves to talk things out. Their pow-wow obviously helped us in this game,” said Austria then. (SB)
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