Champion SMB returns vs Road Warriors
Credit to Author: JOSEF T. RAMOS, TMT| Date: Thu, 07 Mar 2019 16:16:52 +0000
Defending champion San Miguel Beer battles Northern Luzon Expressway (NLEX) at 7 p.m. tonight, as it eyes a quarterfinals berth in Season 44 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
Both teams are entering the game fresh after a 26-day break that gave way to the Philippines’ participation in the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Asian qualifiers.
San Miguel Beer is holding a 4-3 win-loss record with still four games left in the elimination round. SMB is currently sharing the fourth to fifth places with TNT KaTropa that is holding a similar record.
“It is important for us because we still have a chance to get one of the two twice-to-beat quarterfinals slots,” said SMB coach Leo Austria after Rain or Shine (7-3) absorbed back-to-back losses. “So at 8-3 if we won straight our four remaining games, we have a great chance.”
The 6’7 Christian Standhardinger would not play tonight to rest his strained knees while Matt Rosser-Ganuelas will see action after recovering from a shoulder surgery.
Reigning Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo, fresh from the FIBA Asian qualifiers, will lead the Beermen anew.
“Whether there is the FIBA or none, June Mar Fajardo is always playing his best. He is always in good condition,” added Austria.
Coach Yeng Guiao’s Road Warriors (2-4) are now desperate to notch more wins.
In the 4:30 p.m. first game, Northport (2-3) faces a skidding Meralco (2-5).
Stanley Pringle returns after serving a one game suspension and paying a P75,000 fine because of his involvement in a brawl between Batang Pier and Columbian Dyip at the Green Meadows gym.
“They (Meralco) also need to win just like us so we have to double our effort,” said Northport coach Pido Jarencio. “We just need to work hard and execute well the game plan. It’s one game at a time.”
The Batang Pier suffered a controversial 96-98 loss to Phoenix (96-98) last week.
The Bolts, under coach Norman Black, are hoping to halt a three-game losing skid.
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