SAN MIGUEL Beer goes for a commanding 4-0 won-lost start when it takes on red-hot Barangay Ginebra San Miguel on Friday in the Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Beermen will try to sustain the momentum of their victories over Phoenix Super LPG, 108-100, NLEX, 100-92, and Magnolia, 87-81, when they play the Gin Kings in the 6 p.m. duel.
Those wins were built around six-time Season Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo who’s been averaging 15.6 points, 11.6 rebounds and 1.6 blocks early in the conference.
Count CJ Perez in for the Beermen’s unbeaten run on his 17.6 points, 8.0 rebounds and 4.3 assists contribution in three games.
But the Beermen will miss the services of veteran Chris Ross (right knee), Vic Manuel (calf) and Terrence Romeo (back spasm) when they take on the Gin Kings.
“We’re hoping to sustain our games despite missing some players due to injuries so I’m expecting some players to step up,” San Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria said. “We have to play accurately and keep our executions perfect aside from playing defense.”
The Gin Kings are coming off an 83-75 come-from-behind victory over NLEX last Wednesday to stay in solo second place with a 3-1 record.
Ginebra coach Tim Cone said they don’t have enough time to prepare against San Miguel Beer just 48 hours after beating the Road Warriors.
“I thought the guys did a great job of turning around mentally and staying in the game until we can get a little run going, a momentum going, and the momentum just caught with the crowd, carrying us to the very end,” Cone said.
Ginebra will play minus Stanley Pringle who’s nursing a hamstring injury.
Phoenix Super LPG (2-2) tries to extend its winning streak to three games when it battles Magnolia (2-3) at 3 p.m.