Top-tier PBA teams resume bids

FILE–San Miguel Beermen center June Mar Fajardo in the PBA Philippine Cup.–PBA IMAGES

Teams sitting at the top of the standings are hoping that the long layoff won’t serve as a momentum-killer as action in the PBA Philippine Cup resumes on Sunday.

San Miguel Beer will be one of those looking to sustain its terrific start to the all-Filipino tournament at Smart Araneta Coliseum with a 3 p.m. faceoff against struggling Phoenix.

Magnolia tackles Barangay Ginebra in the other Easter offering at 6:15 p.m.

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The Beermen were one of the last teams to start their campaign, after winning the Commissioner’s Cup title on Valentine’s Day. They beat the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and TNT Tropang Giga in succession before the All-Star Weekend in Bacolod City and the Lenten break.

“Our mentality after the All-Star break is to focus on getting back to work,” said San Miguel coach Jorge Gallent, who was part of the Bacolod event as coach of the Team Mark side that held Team Japeth to a 140-all tie following a late comeback.

June Mar Fajardo, CJ Perez, Marcio Lassiter, Terrence Romeo and Don Trollano were also in the City of Smiles for the All-Star contest, hoping to take advantage of having to play that exhibition classic in terms of easily shaking off any rust.

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The Beermen face the struggling the Fuel Masters, who are on a 1-3 start as injuries and the dilemma of playing without Commissioner’s Cup Best Import Johnathan Williams hound the young squad.