Derby Ace, SMB heavy picks today

MANILA—Powerhouse San Miguel tries to bounce back from its first loss in six games even as defending champion Derby Ace shoots for its third straight win today in the PBA Philippine Cup eliminations at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Beermen are installed as the overwhelming favorites in their 5 p.m. clash with the Barako Bull Energy Boosters, who are in the cellar at 2-5.

The Energy Boosters are smarting from a one-point loss to Talk ‘N Text the same Sunday night San Miguel’s  game-winning streak was snapped by Rain or Shine.

Derby Ace is also favored over Powerade in the 7:30 p.m. clash mainly because of an impressive 102-97 victory over Air21 two nights ago when Peter June Simon exploded for a career-high 42 points.

The Tigers will be coming off the worst loss by any team in the young season, a 67-96 drubbing from the Alaska Aces also Wednesday night.

Powerade coach Bo Perasol got very little from almost everyone in that game where they trailed by as many as 37 points.

Even Gary David, the tournament’s leading scorer at 24.5 points a contest, was bottled up to just nine, and the Tigers cannot afford to have their veterans play the same way if they want to avoid a third straight loss.

San Miguel’ sheer advantage in manpower is enough to overcome the Boosters, with Arwind Santos, Dondon Hontiveros, Danny Seigle and Jay Washington leading the charge.

That loss to the Elasto Painters is also expected to fire up the Beermen even more as they try to again wriggle out  of a tie for the lead with the Tropang Texters and end their first round stint on a high note.