A duel of giants between Josh Smith and June Mar Fajardo will unfold after all.
Their marquee matchup will be among the top focal points as TNT KaTropa and San Miguel Beer begin their PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finale at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday.
After all the necessary medical tests on Smith, TNT decided to stick with the jumbo import at least in the opener of their best-of-seven title showdown – a faceoff between two dynasties slugging it out for a date with destiny.
Mike Myers will remain confined behind the TNT bench while the team observes the condition of Smith on a day-to-day basis.
Understandably, the team will deal with so many adjustments if they’re to field a new import now.
Sponsored content:
Observers say the Beermen will be the outstanding favorite if the Texters ditch Smith.
If Smith stays and plays his usual game, some coaches foresee a slam-bang battle.
“If they change their import, it’s a matter of adjustments,” said GlobalPort coach Franz Pumaren.
“San Miguel has an import that is tailor-made for them. He can score, he can rebound and he can defend. Then they have June Mar Fajardo who also plays like an import,” Pumaren noted.
The GlobalPort bench tactician said the TNT import should at least match up with the SMB reinforcement for the Texters to have a chance to win the series.
During the pre-finals press conference Monday, Smith declared he’s ready to play and determined to help TNT achieve its goal of reclaiming the Commissioner’s Cup crown it has held twice in 2011 and 2015.
Sponsored content:
Smith and Fajardo have yet to face each other on the floor.
Fajardo was on loan to Gilas Pilipinas while Smith had yet to complete his commitment with his NBA D-League team when the Texters topped the Beermen, 112-103, in their elims tiff.
“Okay ‘yan, si Smith ang gamitin nila. Lalong mai-injure yan defending June Mar,” said an SMB insider, noting the shiftiness of the San Miguel star center.
On the end, the question is whether Fajardo can cope with the 350-pound weight of Smith.
Charles Rhodes, meanwhile, is likely to be pitted versus Kelly Williams.
Rhodes averages 27.38 points, 10.19 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.7 blocks and 1.2 steals while Smith norms 20.78 points, 12.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists.
Fajardo (15.6), Alex Cabagnot (15.1), Chris Ross (13.19) and Arwind Santos (10.5) are four local SMB players who average in double figures.
Jayson Castro (16.8), RR Pogoy (12.1), Ranidel De Ocampo (9.94) and Williams (8.17), meanwhile, are TNT’s leading local threats.
