Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Basketball

Will San Miguel end Meralco’s dream All-Filipino run?


SMART CLARK GIGA CITY — San Miguel’s bid to extend its All-Filipino domination to six begins when it takes on a motivated Meralco in the opening salvo of the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals, Friday.

Game time is at 4:00 p.m., with the Beermen looking to make good use of the win-once incentive they earned as the fourth-seeded team — a position that, at one point, appeared difficult to achieve.

It is no secret that the reigning, five-time champions struggled in the bubble. They lost Terrence Romero to a shoulder injury, further limiting their depth since they were already without six-time MVP June Mar Fajardo.

Still, they soldiered on, showing their champion composure. San Miguel strung together four straight wins, then snapped a short skid by ending the eliminations with back-to-back victories to clinch the no. 4 spot.

Meanwhile, SMB head coach Leo Austria feels happy to reach the post-season, but he believes his charges can up the ante further.

“We’re so happy to make it to the quarterfinals. This team, when it comes to the playoffs, iba ang nilalaro eh,” said the four-time Coach of the Year, the architect of San Miguel’s unprecedented all-Filipino dynasty.

Standing in their way are the Bolts, who are looking to extend their breakthrough run.

The MVP Group-owned franchise is making its first Philippine Cup quarterfinals appearance in half a decade. Now, it wants to savor the moment despite its twice-to-win disadvantage.

For head coach Norman Black, though, his concern is to play consistent basketball for 48 minutes. Some of their games in the elimination round saw them lead big early only to lose in the end.

#ReadMore  After meeting goal for UAAP 84, Olsen looks strengthen FEU lineup

That exact same thing happened when the Bolts took on the Beermen last Oct. 28. They led by as much as 13, until Mo Tautuaa and vets Arwind Santos, Alex Cabagnot, and Chris Ross led SMB to an 89-82 win.

“It’s something that we have to fix because you don’t want to get in the playoffs and all of a sudden have a big lead, and then lose that lead at the end of the game,” said Black, who coached San Miguel to a Grand Slam in 1989.

“We have to become more consistent throughout the game. We have to try to get better every single game, and it has to start with our next game, because obviously if you lose your next game, you’re out already.”

Written By

Oftentimes on the sidelines. Forever a student of the game. Morayta-bred.


You May Also Like

Basketball

San Miguel and Meralco will take center stage when the Philippine Basketball Association celebrates its 50th founding anniversary on April 9. Commissioner Willie Marcial...

Basketball

Meralco’s hopes of advancing to the East Asia Super League (EASL) Final Four were shattered on Wednesday evening, as the Bolts suffered a heartbreaking...

Basketball

Chris Newsome won’t just leave his brothers behind as Meralco shoots for the remaining ticket to the 2024-25 East Asia Super League (EASL) Final...

Basketball

ANTIPOLO – Ginebra proved steadier down the stretch and outlasted Meralco, 94-87, to complete the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup semifinal picture much to...

Basketball

Ginebra leaned on its usual suspects in the endgame to beat Meralco once again, 100-92, and move a step closer to the PBA Season...

Basketball

Magnolia took no chances and dominated an all-Filipino Meralco, 129-92, to remain in the hunt for a ticket to the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s...

Basketball

Ginebra withstood Meralco’s late rally and came away with the 91-87 decision in a battle between teams gearing up for the PBA Season 49...

Basketball

It was a tad ironic that one of San Miguel’s former coaches played a part in the traditional powerhouse’s demise in the PBA Season...

Advertisement