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Beermen, Aces begin finals duel
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The PBA Philippine Cup finale between San Miguel Beer and Alaska Milk was a series made in heaven begging for an encore.
The Beermen and the Aces are just so willing to oblige.
The two teams are all set for another reckoning, beginning a best-of-seven title rematch in the PBA Governors Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Friday night.
The Aces ride the momentum of an unbeaten run in the postseason play while the Beermen set out for the Finals toughened up by grinds in the quarterfinals and semifinals versus gutsy rivals the Meralco Bolts and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, respectively.
Tip off is at 7 p.m. with Romeo Travis and Arizona Reid looking to make one final argument in their side battle for the Best Import award to be handed out in Game Two on Sunday back at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Meanwhile, San Miguel Beer behemoth Junemar Fajardo is looked cinch to win the Best Player of the Conference award and the season’s MVP plum.
READ: Fajardo set to win back-to-back MVP trophies
The 6-foot-10 Cebuano behemoth has been the league’s most dominant player from his first MVP-winning performance last season. And he’s likely to be a key factor in the SMB-Alaska title rematch.
To ease out all their match up problems, the Aces are likely to push hard their pressing, running and attacking game.
“I expect the finals to be a tough, physical, tiring, intense series. We know San Miguel is very talented but we will just keep coming with our best effort every game, all game,” said Compton.
READ: Compton: We want to win and nothing else
At least in Game One, San Miguel coach Leo Austria’s concern is how to keep up with the Aces with his team having just a 24-hour recovery period from a gut-it-out series closure versus the E-Painters Wednesday.
“I really feel there are so many ways to beat Alaska. Our problem is energy,” said Austria.
“Game One is always important in a series. Problemado kami considering Alaska enjoyed the luxury of some rest where they were able to scout our game,” Austria pointed out. “We didn’t have the benefit of time to scout them. Talong-talo kami sa preparation.”
In preparation for the series opener, the Beermen just watched videos of Alaska’s games and walked through their plays in practice Thursday.
All things equal, Austria believes they have a good chance against the Aces.
READ: Austria worried about SMB’s lack of preparation vs Alaska
“Remember, we beat them in the all-Filipino finals. They have a good import in Romeo Travis but we have our own capable, hard-working import in AZ Reid,” Austria said.
Both imports are source of tremendous strength for their respective teams.
Travis, a high school buddy of NBA star Lebron James, averages 24 points, 12.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.2 blocks while Reid norms 28.2 points, 10.3 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.18 steals.
Both are highly motivated. Travis is determined to help the Aces end a six-conference title drought while Reid hopes to finally go all the way to win a championship after coming up short in each of his three tours of duty with Rain or Shine.
READ: AZ Reid wants to take a PBA title home
Austria and Compton both have a formidable roster at their disposal although the former prefers to use a short rotation.
The San Miguel mentor plays core players Reid, Junemar Fajardo, Arwind Santos, Marcio Lassiter, Alex Cabagnot, Chris Ross and Ronald Tubid extended minutes while Compton shuffles at least his starting five and his second group in their fast-paced game. (SB)
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