Titleholder San Miguel Beer and Meralco both have established a winning momentum as they clash in an interesting match in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo Friday.
The Bolts topped the Blackwater Elite, 99-94, on Saturday while the Beermen turned back the Barangay Ginebra Kings, 99-91, the following day.
The two teams currently share fourth spot with the Columbian Dyip and the Gin Kings at 1-1 after both dropped their opening game in the season.
The Beermen fell to a shocking 118-124 upset by the Dyip while the Bolts absorbed a close 92-93 loss to the Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters in overtime.
Coach Leo Austria and his troops, and coach Norman Black and his chargers are now eager to get going now.
Sponsored content:
"Ang ganda ng idinepensa namin against Ginebra. If we can continue to do just that, maganda ang tsansa namin manalo," said Austria.
The Beermen are loaded with offensive firepower even as Terrence Romeo is a game-time decision with the ankle sprain sustained in his debut with SMB versus Ginebra.
The Beermen pummeled the Kings badly in each of the first three quarters and stormed to a lead as big as 23 (76-53) before eventually breaking into the win-column.
"Nakanti yung pride dun sa talo sa Columbian. And their pride prevailed (against Ginebra). Lahat nagpakita ng maganda," said Austria.
All SMB starters scored in double figures led by Christian Standhardinger with 26 points in a big rebound from his measly 12-point outing the last time.
Sponsored content:
Chris Ross fired 22 including 6-of-12 three-pointers, Marcio Lassiter contributed 16 counting four treys, Von Pessumal chipped 13 spiked by three triples while June Mar Fajardo collected a double-double with 11 rebounds and 10 markers.
Meanwhile, Trevis Jackson ran a show in his second game in pro play, sizzling with 5-of-8 three-point shooting as Meralco drubbed Blackwater.
The Bolts had blown away a 13-point lead and were trailing, 75-76, when Jackson drilled in a decisive back-to-back treys to bring the momentum back to the Bolts, who went on to nail the five-point win.
Nico Salva, Ranidel de Ocampo and Baser Amer also delivered in the clutch as the Bolts bounced back from their sorry loss to the Fuel Masters. (SB)
