March 28, 2016
The San Miguel Beermen continued to roll in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, picking up a 117-98 win over the Star Hotshots on Easter Sunday. Tyler Wilkerson poured 44 points in the win, including eight triples.
In the first game, the NLEX Road Warriors shut down Blackwater Elite, 88-75 to improve their chances of making it to the playoffs.
More tidbits from last night’s games in this Monday edition of the PBA Pass-Through.
Rest of Beermen playing well ‘good’ for Fajardo, says Austria
With the San Miguel Beermen playing extremely well even without June Mar Fajardo, head coach Leo Austria says it would benefit the big man’s healing process.
“That is good for June Mar. We don’t want to disrupt his healing process,” Austria said.
San Miguel defeated Alaska and Star without its big man, who is still recovering from a right knee injury.
However, asked if Austria will have Fajardo sitting out for more games, the mentor pointed out that he does not want his players to be playing “extensive minutes.”
“But we all know with June Mar in the team, it is a good addition because he is the best player in the league. He will help us a lot especially our import.”
Yap injures right calf
Star wing man James Yap got off to a hot start in the Hotshots’ match against San Miguel, pouring 15 points in the first quarter alone. He finished with 17 points in the first half, but he had to be taken out of the game in the third quarter after an apparent calf injury.
Yap limped on his way to the bench before having his right calf wrapped in ice. Yap did not return to the game as the Hotshots fell to the Beermen.
Yap describes the injury as “medyo malala” and is scheduled to have a check-up today to determine the extent of the injury.
Tough schedule ahead for NLEX
NLEX leveled its record to 4-4 after the win over Blackwater, improving its chances of entering the play-offs in the process. Making the play-offs won’t be any easy for the Road Warriors, as the the team will still face, Globalport, and powerhouse teams Alaska and San Miguel.
Head coach Boyet Fernandez said the Road Warriors are looking to win at least two of those remaining games to barge into the next round.
“Ang plano talaga namin is to make it to the quarters. If you will look at our schedule, alam naman natin, both (Alaska and San Miguel) are playoff (contenders). For us, we just have to hurdle. We are looking to get one (win), if two, better. Ang sa amin, win the first two games (against Globalport and either Alaska or San Miguel). If we get the third game, that is good for us,” he said.
Eight teams will qualify to the next round. NLEX is in the middle of the team standings right now, with three games left to play.
