SAN Miguel Beer coach Jorge Gallent has good reasons to be optimistic when his charges seek a top four finish in their final outing in the eliminations against lowly Blackwater.
Gallent’s import, Bennie Boatwright, is slowly proving he has what it takes. But the scarier part? Reigning seven-time MVP June Mar Fajardo is set to make his return.
The Beermen try to bag a coveted bonus when they square off with the also-ran Bossing today in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The curtain-raiser is slated at 4 p.m., with SMB gunning for a fifth win in a row at the close of its eliminations campaign.
That should be good enough for third and a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals of the season-opening meet.
Meralco also wants to stay in the hunt for inclusion in the top four when it faces another moribund team in Terrafirma in the nightcap at 8 o’clock.
Phoenix, defending champion Ginebra and the Bolts could catch the Beermen for the spot, but the latter would still secure the slot or even go a rung higher, having beaten all those teams.
A loss by SMB, however, coupled with their rivals getting to eight wins, would relegate the former to as low as fifth.
Already in uniform as early as last week, Fajardo’s comeback will certainly boost SMB after missing the last six games due to a fractured left-hand injury he sustained last Nov. 29.
The Beermen would be without backup big man Rodney Brondial, who suffered a left ankle sprain during a 132-110 shellacking over the Dyip five days ago that raised their mark to 7-3.
Against Terrafirma, Boatwright waxed hot with 51 points, to go with 12 rebounds and three assists.
The former USC Trojan downplayed his big game as if it was just another day in the office.
“I was just trying to stay in the zone,” Boatwright said. “Credit to my coaches and teammates, they were looking for me.”
Aside from Boatwright and Fajardo, the likes of CJ Perez, Don Trollano, Terrence Romeo, and Mo Tautuaa are expected to spearhead SMB’s charge.
After winning its opening tiff against Converge, Blackwater dropped its next nine outings, counting an 89-106 defeat to NorthPort seven days back.
The Bossing will pin their hopes on reinforcement Chris Ortiz, No. 2 pick Christian David, Troy Rosario, RK Ilagan, and Mike DiGregorio as they try to salvage some measure of pride going into the next conference.
Meralco’s 83-93 setback at the hands of Phoenix last Wednesday that pulled it down to 7-3 dampened the Bolts’ drive for a win-once incentive.
The Bolts need to beat the Dyip and will also hope either the Kings or the Beermen fall to bag a twice-to-beat edge.
Import Shonn Miller, Chris Banchero, Chris Newssome, and Bong Quinto will be counted upon by Meralco to deliver.
With a 2-8 slate, Terrafirma will draw strength from reinforcement Thomas De Thaey, Juami Tiongson, Javi Gomez de Liaño, and Stephen Holt.
