SAN MIGUEL Beer tries to keep pace with Alaska for the top 2 spots, while Rain or Shine, hopes to extend its winning run to four as they clash against separate foes on Tuesday in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Beermen (6-1) face GlobalPort in the first game at 4:15 p.m., hoping for a victory that would tie them for the lead with the Alaska Aces. In the main game at 7 p.m., the well-rested Elasto Painters (5-2) square off with NLEX.
San Miguel seeks a crucial fourth straight versus Batang Pier (4-4), who are coming off a disappointing 84-87 loss to Alaska.
“Our goal really is to reach the top 2 for the automatic semifinals berth that’s why we need to keep on winning because other teams are also starting to go up in the standings,” Beermen Head Coach Leo Austria said.
“We’re in a good situation right now. But GlobalPort is a dangerous team. They have a strong backcourt and we have to be ready,” Austria added.
Behind the 36-point performance of reigning Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo, the Beermen demolished a reeling Kia squad, 90-74, for their third straight win in the tournament.
Terrence Romeo has started to get his offensive game back as he averaged 28 points per game in his team’s last two games. His offensive prowess and the playmaking skills of top pick Stanley Pringle and Alex Cabagnot will be crucial for the Batang Pier to pull off an upset against the No. 2 San Miguel side.
Rain or Shine, meanwhile, enters the game well rested as it last saw action on November 15, beating Meralco, 107-79, at the University of Southeastern Philippines Gym in Davao City.
Head Coach Yeng Guiao missed that game but his presence was not needed, as the Elasto Painters drew solid games from Paul Lee, Jeff Chan, Jericho Cruz and Raymund Almazan in toppling the Bolts.
Rain or Shine is at solo third with a 5-2 win-loss slate and still in the race for one of the two automatic semifinal seats.
The Elasto Painters face a dangerous Road Warriors five of Head Coach Boyet Fernandez. They are coming off a 104-84 triumph over winless Blackwater to snap a three-game skid and improve to 3-4.