SAN Miguel Beer hopes to make it 3-0 against Rain or Shine, while Barangay Ginebra and Meralco break their tie in their best-of-seven semifinals when the PBA Philippine Cup visits the Dasmarinas Arena in Cavite.

With PBA “Player of the Week” awardee June Mar Fajardo leading the charge, the Beermen are again the heavy favorites when they square off with the hard-fighting E-Painters in the curtainraiser at 4:30 p.m.

Fajardo, the seven-time PBA MVP from Compostela, Cebu is averaging a series-high 22.5 points on a 70.3 percent field shooting, and 10.5 rebounds in San Miguel’s 101-98 and 106-89 victories over Rain or Shine in the first two games of their semifinal series.

Another win would put the Jorge Gallent-mentored Beermen move one step closer to the finals against either Ginebra or Meralco.

“We did a better job sprinting back on defense and getting good shots, better shots than in Game 1,” said Gallent when asked about the team’s performance last Sunday. \

“So I guess we just have to do the same in Game 3 and keep the energy up and keep on pressing the gas,” he added.

Gallent is also well aware of the fact that history is on the side of San Miguel.

Actually, 46 out of the 55 teams that go 2-0 up in a race-to-four duels went on to win the series, according to league chief statistician Fidel Mangonon III.

Rain or Shine, however, is not giving up.

Although the E-Painters have not beaten the Beermen in their nine previous games, coach Yeng Guiao hopes they can limit the production of San Miguel’s other players while limiting their own turnovers.

The Ginebra-Meralco duel is a lot more exciting.

The Kings drew first blood with a 92-88 victory in the series opener, but the Bolts evened up the matters with a 103-91 triumph the following game.

“We need to get contributions from everybody and we didn’t get that (in Game Two),” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone,

“The game plan was obvious, put the ball on Christian Standhardinger’s hands and make them beat us from the line. And he was almost up to the task. He kept his goings, he kept his hands. But they (Meralco) did a good job of shutting everybody else down,” added Cone.

Meralco mentor Luigi Trillo said his team will be ready.

“We have so much respect for them and I’m sure they have the same respect for us. It’s gut it out, it’s hard (fought). I’m sure the fans enjoy that, we enjoy it, we love that type of atmosphere,” said Trillo.

Games Wednesday:

(Dasmariñas Arena)
4:30 p.m. — Rain or Shine vs. San Miguel
7:30 p.m. — Meralco vs. Ginebra

The results:

Game 1 — San Miguel 101, Rain or Shine 98.
Game 2 — San Miguel 106, Rain or Shine 89.
(San Miguel leads semifinal series, 2-0)

Game 1 — Ginebra 92, Meralco 88
Game 2 –Meralco 103, Ginebra 91
(Series tied at 1-1)