Face off
BEFORE the Holy Week break, San Miguel Beer and Magnolia face off in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Riding the momentum of back-to-back victories, the Beermen and the Hotshots take the floor at 7:30 p.m. with the winner taking the early lead in the season-ending conference.
San Miguel swept its first two assignments against NLEX, 98-89, on April 5, and Meralco, 110-98, on April 9 while Magnolia, hurdled Blackwater, 106-84, and Converge, 83-71, to storm to 2-0 records.
June Mar Fajardo, one of 10 additions to the list of the PBA “50 Greatest Players” honored during the PBA Anniversary Celebration at Solaire Norht last Friday, will lead San Miguel’s charge.
Fajardo is one of only two active players added to the distinguished list, along with Scottie Thompson of Barangay Ginebra.
Also expected to back up Fajardo in the scoring parade are CJ Perez,who topscored with 29 points, including a four ball and three three-pointers, and Jeron Teng, who added 11 points in San Miguel’s victory over Meralco.
Magnolia will lean on Ian Sangalang and Zavier Lucero.
In the 5:30 p.m. match, NorthPort looks to notch its second straight win as it battles Rain or Shine.
NorthPort opened its campaign on a strong note, cruising past Terrafirma, 97-75, last Saturday.
The Elasto Painters, on the other hand, suffered a 95-109 loss to NLEX later that day.
Rain or Shine’s defensive game plan will likely center on limiting Arvin Tolentino, the reigning Best Player of the last Commissioner’s Cup, who powered NorthPort past Terrafirma with 19 points, eight rebounds, and 12 assists.
Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao, hopes to get better showing from his team despite the contiued absence of veteran Beau Belga, Luis Villegas and possibly Keith Datu.
“Yung malalaki problema. Pero tingnan natin, baka magawan ng remedy,” said Guiao, referring to Belga, who would continue to be sidelined by vertigo, and Villegas who is currently still in the rehabilitation phase after undergoing reconstructive surgery on his knee.
Datu,on the other hand, suffered a right calf injury right in the second quarter of the NLEX game.
Another worry for Guiao is Tolentino.
“Itong si Arvin pinaghahandaan naman ng lahat ng teams iyan. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he plays well It’s just up to you now to find a defensive scheme against him,” explained Guiao.
