Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MACAU—San Miguel’s preparation for an elusive PBA Grand Slam won’t just happen in Philippine shores.
The PBA’s winningest franchise is set to play in the East Asia Super League: The Terrific 12, kicking off its campaign against the CBA’s Shenzhen Aviators.
The Beermen take on the Aviators, Tuesday, 7 p.m., at Tap Seac Multisport Pavilion here in the elimination round of the Terrific 12.
Under the Leo Austria, the Beermen have won eight titles bumping their total to 27 but a Grand Slam feat has always eluded them.
Their best chance came in the 2016-17 season when they ruled the first two conferences before bowing out of contention in the Governors’ Cup.
The Beermen are in the same position this season and they hope to finally get over the hump this time.
But their quest for another PBA crown will have to wait with the Terrific 12 still in front of them.
San Miguel will have the luxury of having Dez Wells, its import for the Governors’ Cup, plus another reinforcement in Lester Prosper.
The tournament will pit the Beermen against elite Asian competition in preparation for their Grand Slam bid.
Other PBA teams participating in the Terrific 12 are TNT and Blackwater, which is not a newcomer to the East Asia League.
The Elite, who already played in the Summer Super 8 in 2018, will take on two-time Korean Basketball League champions Seoul SK Knights in the tournament’s opening match on Tuesday at 3 p.m.
The KaTropa, a tournament first-timer like the Beermen, clash with 2018 CBA champion Liaoning Flying Leopards at 9 p.m.