Expectations are high for the San Miguel Beermen as they launch their quest for the coveted Grand Slam against the Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Coming off a fourth place showing against crack Asian teams in the East Asia Super League Terrific 12 in Macau, the Beermen want no less than to start the conference on a bright note in the 7 p.m. match against the Fuel Masters.
Likely to take centerstage is their import Dez Wells after putting on an impressive show during SMB’s Terrific 12 matches against the Shenzhen Aviators, Ryukyu Golden Kings, eventual champion Liaoning Flying Leopards and Guangsha Lions.
Wells averaged 30.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.0 steals in five games while showing an athleticism and energy that made Phoenix coach Louie Alas to compare the 27-year-old to a legendary PBA import.
“Parang si Tony Harris,” said Alas, referring to the former Swift Mighty Meaties star who holds the PBA record for most points in a game with 105.
“Very explosive tapos dumedepensa pa. Two-way player to and kailangan dalhin mo lahat ng knowledge mo sa basketball against him. Magaling, magaling,” Alas added.
June Mar Fajardo is likely to see action for the Beermen after sitting out the whole duration of the Terrific 12 to rest an ankle injury sustained while playing for Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA World Cup in China.
Marcio Lassiter won’t be playing due to his MCL sprain but Terrence Romeo, Chris Ross, Alex Cabagnot and Arwind Santos are among the players coach Leo Austria hopes to perform well against a Phoenix side that lost 123-116 to NLEX.
TNT KaTropa and Blackwater, teams that failed to reach the Terrific 12 semis, face off in the 4:30 p.m. opener.
Ex-NBA player KJ McDaniels will have big shoes to fill as he’ll try to play as good as what former Houston Rockets teammate Terrence Jones did for the KaTropa in the Commissioner’s Cup.
But McDaniels appears to be almost as good as Jones, posting 39.5 points, 13.0 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 1.5 blocks in the two games TNT played against Liaoning and Albirex Niigata.
Meanwhile, former Best Import Marqus Blakely will suit up as permanent reinforcement of the Elite for the conference after impressing management with his play in the Terrific 12.
Blakely posted 15.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.0 blocks as a replacement for former NLEX import Aaron Fuller, who hurt his ankle during practice. (Jonas Terrado)
