SMB, Ginebra open slam –bang finals tonight
San Miguel Beer is expecting a go-for-broke Barangay Ginebra San Miguel as they open the best-of-seven championship series of Season 43 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup at the Araneta Coliseum tonight.
Game begins at 7 p.m.
“We are not thinking that we beat them before because this is another chapter. We must respect and prepare very well against any team especially against Ginebra,” said San Miguel Beer forward Arwind Santos in Filipino.
“We will be facing a huge Ginebra crowd again. It is not so easy to beat them. We should out-hustle each player not only Greg (Slaughter). All of them are capable of playing great.”
San Miguel Beer’s import Renaldo Balkman (32) drives on Justin Brownlee of Ginebra during the elimination round of Season 43 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. PBA MEDIA BUREAU PHOTO
Santos averaged 11.8 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 17 games.
The fans eyes will also be on the collision of two big men—the 6’11 June Mar Fajardo and the 7’0 Greg Slaughter.
The last time the two giants collided was during their collegiate playing days in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. in 2009.
Fajardo, the league’s four-time Most Valuable Player, is averaging 20.2 points and 12.0 rebounds in 17 games, while Slaughter had a 12.4 points and 8.0 rebounds average in 15 games.
Another attraction is the clash between two imports namely San Miguel Beer’s Renaldo Balkman and Ginebra’s Justin Brownlee. The two, now facing each other as rivals, were members of Alab Pilipinas who saw action in the Asean Basketball League early this year.
Balkman had an average of 28.1 points, 12.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.7 steals and 2.2 blocks in 15 games against Brownlee’s 28.1 points, 12.5 rebounds, 6.6 assists and 2.1 steals in 13 games.
Meanwhile, San Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria is approaching the finals with caution.
“I wish we’ll be in the right form. Although based on our games against Alaska, I saw the potential that w e’re going to reach our usual competitive form,” said Austria, who is aiming for his seventh PBA crown.
“We cannot be complacent and Game 1 is very important.”
Ginebra coach Tim Cone, for his part, is appreciative of the extra days of rest for his wards.
“What they really appreciate is the idea that we had the extra time after the semifinals to get ourselves rested and have time to prepare,” said Cone. So I think the three days or four days will be beneficial for both of us.”
“I’m not sure there’s an edge. The team is going to prepare their best. In terms of momentum, they have great momentum and we have great momentum so it’s going to be a great Game 1,” added Cone, who won 20 of his 32 finals appearances in the league.
The last time the Gin Kings fought the Beermen was in the 2017 to 2018 Philippine Cup finals, where they lost at 4-1.
The post SMB, Ginebra open slam –bang finals tonight appeared first on The Manila Times Online.