BERMEN EYE 2-0
San Miguel Beer will surely not deviate from its bread-and-butter ploy of putting the ball in the hands of June Mar Fajardo at the post.
Will the Beermen continue to make a killing off it or will the Talk n Text Tropang Texters find a way to stop it?
This is the question begging for an answer as playoffs top seed San Miguel goes for a two-zero lead versus Talk n Text in their PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven semifinal showdown at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Sunday.
Refreshed and retooled, the Beermen exploited all their advantages against a tired Talk n Text squad and carved out an emphatic 109-86 win in the series opener Friday night.
The Texters saw it coming but failed to elude it.
Before the game, the Texters were saying the lethal SMB team has become more lethal with the return of sweet-shooting and brilliant guard Alex Cabagnot.
The Texters’ fears proved founded.
“They were more prepared. They have studied us well and made the right preparations,” said Talk n Text forward Ranidel de Ocampo. “In the elims, we fought a close game that came down to an endgame battle.”
“We lost to them the last time and we woke up from that loss,” said San Miguel coach Leo Austria.
Cabagnot played a big part as San Miguel avenged a six-point loss to Talk n Text in the elims.
Fajardo, Cabagnot and Arwind Santos, all contenders for the Best Player of the Conference award, led the juggernaut that had the Beermen dominating the Tropang Texters in the final half.
Fajardo piled up 23 points and 10 rebounds, Santos came up with 21 markers, eight boards and three assists while Cabagnot marked his SMB comeback with 13 points, six rebounds and six assists.
San Miguel actually started the demolition in the last six minutes of the second half, and the Beermen just never let up to take the crucial 1-0 series lead.
“I was surprised because they had a good start,” said Austria.
The Texters took the early initiative, leading by seven at the end of the first quarter before breaking down as the Beermen buckled down to work in the next period.
San Miguel clamped down on Talk n Text in the second period and won the game right in the third quarter in opening a 30-point bulge.
Obviously feeling the rigors of their quarterfinal grind, the Texters just couldn’t respond properly.
“It’s just the first game. They will surely wage a big fightback in the second game,” said Austria.
The Texters hardly saw an opening in Game One facing a relentless San Miguel defense coupled by a torrid offense coming from all over.
San Miguel completely outclassed Talk n Text as the Beermen stopped the Texters’ six-game romp. (SB)
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