SAN MIGUEL hopes to regain lost ground when it opens its campaign against dangerous Phoenix Super LPG in the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Led by six-time MVP June Mar Fajardo, Marcio Lassiter and Mo Tautuaa, the Beermen look to put a forgettable campaign in the previous season behind when they take on the rejuvenated Fuel Masters in the 6 p.m. main game.

The coach Leo Austria-mentored Beermen were beaten by TNT Tropang Giga in the semifinals of the All-Filipino and Meralco in the quarterfinals of the Governors Cup.

The Beermen will have to do it minus Terrence Romeo due to back spasm

“We don’t know yet how many games (Romeo will miss). But we’re giving him ample time to recover 100 percent,” said Austria in an interview posted at the official PBA website,

“I talked to the team before and informed them about Terrence and everybody naman was upbeat about stepping up in lieu of Terrence,” added Austria.

Phoenix will also be a lot different team now.

The Fuel Masters of second-year coach Topex Robinson will boast of new acquisitions JVee Mocon, Aljun Melecio, Encho Serrano, Tyler Tio and Billy Robles.

Phoenix acquired Mocon in a deal where the Fuel Masters gave up Nic Demusis and a pair of future draft picks to Rain on Shine.

The Fuel Masters are also coming from a dismal campaign in Season 46, losing to Barangay Ginebra Kings in a knockout playoff for the last quarterfinals slot in the Philippine Cup and Magnolia Hotshots in the quarterfinals in the Governors’ Cup.

NLEX and Terrafirma test each other’s mettle at 3 p.m.

The Road Warriors are looking for a strong start behind Kevin Alas, Don Trollano, JR Quinahan and Calvin Oftana,

The Dyip, on the other hand, will rely on Juami Tiongson, Aldrech Ramos, Joshua Munzon, Andreas Cahiligand rookie Javi Gomez de Liano.