SAN Miguel Beer aims to move one step closer to the PBA Philippine Cup finals when it takes on a Rain or Shine crew angling for a far modest goal Wednesday in the resumption of their semifinals duel at the Dasmarinas Arena in Cavite.
The Beermen are looking to make it an imposing 3-0 count in the best-of-seven series but must still be on their toes against the expected double tenacity of the Elasto Painters, who remain determined to at least prolong the match-up.
“At least now we did a better job sprinting back on defense and getting good shots, better shots than in Game 1,” said SMB coach Jorge Gallent last Sunday following his side’s 106-89 rout in Game 2 that was in stark contrast to its 101-98 squeaker in the opener.
“So I guess we just have to do the same in Game 3 and keep the energy up and keep on pressing the gas,” added Gallent.
History is on the side of SMB since 46 out of the 55 teams that go 2-0 up in a race-to-four duels went on to win the series, according to league chief statistician Fidel Mangonon III.
For Rain or Shine to realize a win over a team it hasn’t beaten in their last nine games, a lot of fine-tuning must be done with taking care of the ball as one of its top priorities. In Game 2, the E-Painters committed 15 miscues which SMB translated into 18 points.
Prized center June Mar Fajardo continues to be a big factor for the Beermen, averaging 22.5 points, on a 70.3 percent field shooting, on top of 10.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists, while usually doing most of his damage in the third quarter.
What Rain or Shine could do is allow the 6-10 behemoth to wreak havoc inside but stifle the likes of CJ Perez, Marcio Lassiter, Terrence Romeo, Jericho Cruz, Don Trollano and even Chris Ross from doing their thing from beyond the arc.
With the Beermen having found a way to limit the E-Painters’ fastbreaks, better three-point shooting should also serve the latter in good stead. They went 34-of-83 from the field in Game 1 but only 31-of-81 the next game while shooting just 27 percent from 3s in both instances.
Gian Mamuyac and Beau Belga have been fairly consistent with averages of 17 ppg and 14.0 ppg, respectively, in the first two games while Anton Asistio and Adrian Nocum have cranked up their game last Sunday after so-so-performances in the opener.
Still, Rain or Shine’s task remains gargantuan, with Fajardo and Lassiter having a special motivation for themselves.
With a career total of 709 blocked shots, Fajardo needs just one more to break out of his tie with Yoyoy Villamin for 11th all-time, while Lassiter tries to move closer to Allan Caidic for third in most three-pointers made. Lassiter has 1,219 to Caidic’s 1,242.(NC)
#LegitOnlineCasino #PhilippinesCasino #LegitSlotGames #OnlineGame #OnlineCasino #LiveCasino #LegitSlot #OnlineBingo #LegitSlotGame #VideoGame #CockFight #SportGame #PhlCo #PhlChat
