SMB eyes to stretch lead to 3-0 vs Phoenix
Credit to Author: The Manila Times| Date: Sat, 20 Apr 2019 16:23:58 +0000
Defending champion San Miguel Beer aims to stretch its lead to a commanding 3-0 against Phoenix Pulse as their best-of-seven semifinals series resumes today in Season 44 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
Game 3 begins at 6:30 p.m.
SMB won Game 1 (100-88) and Game 2 (92-82).
“If you saw the first two games, they were absolutely tough. I’m expecting the third game will be more physical because of their situation now. But in our case, we have to be cautious in what adjustments they are going to do against us,” San Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria told The Manila Times.
PBA MEDIA
BUREAU PHOTO
Game 2 was intense with Christian Standhardinger committing a flagrant foul penalty two violation because of kicks to Calvin Abueva’s head and groin in the second quarter.
Standhardinger was fined P20,000 for the infraction and Abueva P15,000 for making an obscene gesture.
The Beermen returned to practice on Black Saturday after a short Holy Week break.
Phoenix, meanwhile, is ready to fight tooth and nail to crawl out of a 0-2 deficit.
“We still have Sunday’s game. If we win that game, we’ll be down to 1-2. That’s not insurmountable and that’s not an overwhelming lead in the series,” said Matthew Wright of the Fuel Masters.
“We know we can comeback from there, we just have to figure out the game plan. I’m still confident of our abilities and I trust the work we’re putting in all years.”
JOSEF T. RAMOS
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