TOP two elimination-round finishers San Miguel Beer (SMB) and TNT Tropang Giga gun for a quick entry into the best-of-seven semifinals of Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup when they clash with separate foes in the quarterfinals on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Returning SMB coach Leo Austria, who missed their last two games because of health protocols, warned his players not to relax in their 6 p.m. encounter with rejuvenated Blackwater despite emerging No. 1 spot (9-2 win-loss) with a twice-to-beat advantage.
“Even though we have that advantage, we cannot take Blackwater lightly,” Austria said. “They’re playing well with a solid line-up and they are a true contender.”
Austria didn’t coach in SMB’s 109-108 win over Terrafirma last July 14 and 86-89 loss to Meralco last Sunday.
“They’re really hungry for a win so we have to be careful,” he added.
Expected to stand on Blackwater’s way is six-time Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo who is averaged 18.5 points, 13.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.6 blocks in the 11-game elimination round.
CJ Perez also played well for the Beermen in the eliminations with norms og 17.5 points and 7.6 rebounds average.
But coach Ariel Vanguardia and the Bossing looked defiant despite losing their last five games to end up at No. 8 with a 5-6 card.
“We’re blessed with this opportunity to be in the playoffs. San Miguel Beer is the heavy favorite, but we’ll come out and put up the best fight we can,” said Vanguardia, who gave the Beermen a good fight in the elimination but lost in overtime, 107-110, last July 10.
In 3 p.m. game, No. 2 TNT Tropang Giga, which also owns a twice-to-beat advantage (8-3), battles No. 7 Converge.
TNT’s pure scorer Mikey Williams—21.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.8 assists in six games in the eliminations—expects to unleash his offensive prowess against the young core of the FiberXers headed by rookie big man Justin Arana.
Blackwater and Converge are hoping to neutralize the twice-to-beat advantage of their opponents and force do-or-die games.