A strong Grand Slam prospect when the tournament started, San Miguel Beer now puts all its effort to merely avoid the ignominy of early elimination when the 2018 Commissioner’s Cup resumes this Wednesday after the annual All-Star break.
The winner of an unprecedented fourth straight Philippine Cup last March, the Beermen tangle with the Phoenix Fuel Masters trying to end a three-game slump totally unexpected from a defending champion whose powerful all-Filipino roster had been reinforced by the league’s top draft pick.
As in their misadventures against Meralco, Rain or Shine and Alaska, the Beermen are heavily favored to get past the Fuel Masters with their comebacking import Renaldo Balkman and crack recruit Christian Stanhardinger acquainting themselves well in their last game before the Aces escaped with a 105-103 win in Dumaguete.
But unless the local stars show up with their old ferocious games, SMB will remain vulnerable. Against Alaska, four-time league MVP June Mar Fajardo scored only seven points while top guard Alex Cabagnot had only four. And Chris Ross, a former Finals MVP in the Philippine Cup, went scoreless.
The Fuel Masters are definitely no pushovers as shown by their earlier conquests of Magnolia and Barangay Ginebra in their 3-2 card. Eugene Phelps, earlier tapped as import in the Governors’ Cup, had to suit up to take the place of the injured James White and helped Phoenix secure a 103-98 double overtime win over Ginebra despite cramping up late in regulation last May 20.
The loss left Ginebra just slightly ahead of struggling SMB in the standings at 1-3, prompting coach Tim Cone to announce he was reactivating Justin Brownlee as replacement for Chuck Garcia in the Gin Kings’ game against the Meralco Bolts on June 1.
Brownlee, who powered Ginebra to the Governors’ Cup title the last two seasons, teamed up with Balkman when San Miguel-Alab Pilipinas won the Asean Basketball League championship recently.
Thus, it will be an interesting reunion for Justin and Renaldo, this time as rivals, when Ginebra and SMB tangle on June 3 at Mall of Asia Arena.
With eight games left in its elimination schedule, SMB has to win six to easily make it to the top eight teams that will advance to the quarterfinals. Aside from Ginebra, SMB’s other remaining tough foes are Magnolia and TNT KaTropa.
TNT is currently tied for second with Alaska at 4-1 behind leader Rain or Shine (5-1). Magnolia is fourth at 3-1 with Meralco tied with Phoenix at 3-2. GlobalPort and Columbian Dyip follow at 3-3. After Ginebra comes NLEX at 1-4 with Blackwater dead last at 0-6.