Beermen face Energy; Painters meet Texters

ROOKIE Matt Ganuelas (left) of Talk ‘N Text will get tested tonight when the Texters face tough Rain or Shine. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

WITH A former and the reigning MVP leading the way, San Miguel Beer is flaunting unbeatable form in the young PBA Philippine Cup.

Barako Bull, a side laden with veterans and a sprinkling of youth, gets the next crack at bursting that SMB bubble of invincibility today when the elimination round resumes with an interesting twinbill at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.

Game time is 3 p.m. before Rain or Shine shoots for a third straight victory and keep the leaders within sight in its clash with struggling Talk ‘N Text in the 5:15 p.m. main game.

San Miguel has bamboozled two foes in succession, with defending champion Purefoods the latest to fall. And the Beermen enjoy an advantage in every position against the Energy, who are reeling from two straight defeats.

Leo Austria, who assumed the coaching chores at the end of last season, has instilled a system that the Beermen are trying to exploit with the 6-foot-9 reigning MVP June Mar Fajardo dominating the paint.

And with the enemy’s defense getting busy trying to limit Fajardo, Arwind Santos, who was voted as the top player two seasons ago, is having an easier time making contributions on both ends.

“Right now, we are playing well,” Austria said. “But we cannot relax at this point; we need to keep on improving and to keep on winning and give ourselves a chance at winning a top two slot [for an automatic semifinal berth].”

Meanwhile, Rain or Shine will be coming off two straight wins and used a 29-point shellacking of newcomer KIA Motors on Wednesday to prepare for the Tropang Texters.

Former Rookie of the Year Paul Lee, who twisted his right knee in the Elasto Painters’ season-opener, returned to action in a great way, shooting 22 points built around four triples against the Sorento.

Ranidel de Ocampo, Jason Castro and Ryan Reyes will again lead the Texters, who could be rejoined by former MVP Jimmy Alapag.

Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao said that Talk ‘N Text will be their first real test as they try to win a first all-Filipino title both for Guiao and the franchise.