GRANDSLAM-seeking San Miguel Beer looks to keep in step with the other top-tier teams as it attempts to get back on track against a feisty GlobalPort side, even as two teams in the lower echelon clash in the continuation of the 2017 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup.
The Beermen (2-1) and the Batang Pier (2-2) are set to test each other at 7 p.m. in the main event at the Smart Araneta Coliseum today.
Three hours prior, TNT KaTropa (2-2) and fading Phoenix (2-5) figure in an important match at 4:15 p.m. as both teams are in need of a victory to keep up with the pack.
Following its 2-0 start, San Miguel Beer suffered a roadblock and would now have to find its groove again to stay in the upper half with the teams upfront.
Missing the services of main man June Mar Fajardo the last time out due to injury, the Beermen tasted their first defeat of the tournament, falling to league-leading Star, 104-98, last Aug. 4.
With 20 days of rest, San Miguel is fresh and more importantly, it is expected to have Fajardo back in the fold to help the team.
However, the Batang Pier is ready to put on a fight as it hopes to keep its momentum going with ace Terrence Romeo back in harness after his stint with the national team.
GlobalPort thwarted hapless Kia, 102-90, last Sunday and is now looking to pull off an upset win over the Beermen for a possible second straight victory.
It has been a roller-coaster ride so far for the Tropang Texters in the tournament as they have alternated wins and losses.
After changing their import from Michael Craig to Glen Rice Jr., TNT KaTropa, missing some of its star players who were with the national team, didn’t find success as it suffered a terrible beatdown at the hands of Rain or Shine last Sunday, 105-73, its worst loss of the season.
The Texters will now look to bounce back against the ailing Fuel Masters, who have lost five in a row after winning their first two outings.
Just last Wednesday night, Phoenix suffered yet another lopsided loss at the hands of the Hotshots, 100-81.