PBA: Phoenix seeks semis equalizer
Credit to Author: Tempo Online| Date: Tue, 23 Apr 2019 00:00:58 +0000
by Jonas Terrado
Game Today (Cuneta Astrodome)
7 p.m. – San Miguel vs Phoenix Pulse
(San Miguel leads series 2-1)
Phoenix Pulse hopes to repeat over defending champion San Miguel Beer and tie their best-of-seven series as the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals shifts to the Cuneta Astrodome.
Phoenix’s Calvin Abueva (MB photo | Rio Leonelle Deluvio)
Coming off a 92-90 victory on Easter Sunday, the Fuel Masters aim to level the series at 2-2 in the 7 p.m. match that is expected to be as physical like the previous three games.
Calvin Abueva and Matthew Wright are eager to capitalize on Phoenix’s momentum even as San Miguel tries to regroup and gain a commanding 3-1 lead.
A question mark is whether the Beermen will troop to the floor with Marcio Lassiter, who missed Game 3 due to a back pain.
Lassiter was in uniform but San Miguel opted to let Lassiter get a much-needed rest.
Coach Louie Alas is banking on his team to deliver the same resolve as it did in Game 3 when it displayed more composure in overcoming San Miguel.
Wright’s six consecutive free throws in the final minute sealed it for the Fuel Masters as they were able to benefit from the Beermen’s woes from the 15-foot line.
San Miguel missed 17 free throws in 39 attempts in Game 3, including five in 12 attempts in the last four minutes.
Phoenix, on the other hand, is looking to avoid getting into foul trouble after Jason Perkins fouled out and Justin Chua, Wright and Abueva dealing with five each.
Meanwhile, Rain or Shine and Magnolia resumed their best-of-seven affair at presstime at the Big Dome.
The Elasto Painters were seeking a 3-1 lead while the Hotshots were aiming to make it two in a row.
Magnolia took Game 3 before the Holy Week break, 85-74.