Phoenix, San Mig in vital tiff
Credit to Author: Tempo Online| Date: Fri, 15 Mar 2019 09:19:44 +0000
By Jonas Terrado
Game Today
(Panabo City, Davao del Norte)
5 p.m. – San Miguel vs Phoenix Pulse
Phoenix Pulse tries to once again secure the twice-to-beat advantage as it battles streaking San Miguel Beer in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Panabo Multi-Purpose Tourism, Sports and Cultural Center in Davao del Norte.
The Fuel Masters look to shrug off their heartbreaking loss to Barangay Ginebra San Miguel last Sunday and snap the Beermen’s four-game winning streak in the 5 p.m. Petron Saturday Special match.
Coach Louie Alas and his Fuel Masters are still on top of the standings at 8-2 but will be hard-pressed to atone for wasting a 10-point lead in a 100-97 loss to Ginebra at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Phoenix is also going to deal with June Mar Fajardo, who has been flashing his dominant form the past two games.
Fajardo is coming off a 40-point, 19-rebound effort in San Miguel’s 113-107 triumph over NorthPort also on Sunday.
Alas is once again going to stress a strong defensive display not only against Fajardo but San Miguel’s other weapons like Marcio Lassiter, Terrence Romeo, Chris Ross and Arwind Santos.
Romeo had his best production since joining San Miguel in the offseason with 23 points against his former team NorthPort.
Matthew Wright is one of the players Phoenix hopes to come out big, but the Fil-Canadian struggled against Ginebra with only 10 points on 3-of-14 shooting.
But Wright could make himself play more of a facilitator as seen with his 10 assists against Ginebra and his pass that set up Jason Perkins’ game-winning three opposite Magnolia more than a week ago.
The energy and antics of Calvin Abueva is also expected to give the fans down south a nig treat while Perkins, Justin Chua, RJ Jazul and Alex Mallari will be tasked to provide the needed firepower.