BARAKO Bull tries to extend its unbeaten start to four games while San Miguel Beer targets its third straight victory in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Energy square off with the Meralco Bolts at 3 p.m., while the Beermen battle the skidding defending champion Star Hotshots in the main game at 5:15 p.m.
Barako Bull is the only team that has yet to lose a game in the season-ending conference and the wards of Head Coach Koy Banal will be tested by the Bolts, who are coming off an 83-81 escape of a victory over the Hotshots.
“I’m glad the players are sustaining the good start. We needed that for our confidence,” said Banal whose squad is fresh off a 100-87 demolition of Commissioner’s Cup champion Talk ‘N Text.
Liam McMorrow has been playing consistently for the Energy while the locals are providing the much-needed support led by the resurgent JC Intal and Dylan Ababou. Meralco, on the other hand, has yet to win two in a row in the tournament but that victory over Star, formerly Purefoods, gives the Bolts the confidence to hand the Energy their first loss. Andre Emmett had another solid game for Meralco with 37 points, 15 rebounds, six assists and five steals to help his team snatch its second win in four games. Meanwhile, San Miguel, after a sluggish 0-2 start, finally got its rhythm back after winning its last two assignments, including a 124-102 whipping of GlobalPort which was Batang Pier’s first loss after winning their first three assignments.
Beermen import Arizona Reid erupted for 41 points he highlighted with nine three-pointers, while Marcio Lassiter added 24 markers, including a 5-of-7 stint from beyond the arc.
“Ngayon na lang kami nagiging healthy ulit. Hopefully magtuluy-tuloy dahil we need to get more wins kasi top eight lang ang papasok,” San Miguel Head Coach Leo Austria said.