SAN MIGUEL Beer will see an activated Terrence Romeo from injury bay and assistant coach Jorge Gallent again taking charge when the Beermen battle the Meralco Bolts in a final elimination day duel Friday the result of which would no longer affect the playoffs cast in the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup.
“We have a momentum that I don’t want to disrupt,” said San Miguel Beer Head Coach Leo Austria, referring to Gallent manning the fort for him so as to possibly sustain the team’s streak that went on for three games.
Austria was indisposed since November 19 because of health protocols and still won’t be around for the 3 p.m. game at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
“He’s [Gallent] still using my system so that’s fine,” Austria said.
Romeo, according to Austria, is ready for after recovering from back spasm.
The Beermen—seeded fifth in the quarterfinals with a 6-5 win-loss record—expect to face an ousted Meralco crew that wants to erase the stigma of an 81-92 loss to NLEX in its last game and improve its 4-7 card to close out its campaign.
Magnolia, meanwhile, shoots for the No. 2 spot in the playoffs for a twice-to-beat advantage when the Hotshots square off with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters at 6 p.m.
A victory by the Hotshots (9-2) would tie them with No. 1 Hong Kong Bay Area Dragon and automatically get the second twice-to-beat incentive.
But a loss would shove Magnolia to No. 3 and give Barangay Ginebra San Miguel a free lift to No. 2 in the playoffs.
Rain or Shine (5-6) eyes a win for an automatic No. 8 berth in the quarterfinals. A loss would send the Elasto Painters to a playoff with the Road Warrriors for the last quarterfinals berth.