San Miguel Beer eyes a follow-up to a stirring opening act while former UAAP stars Kiefer Ravena and Ray Parks Jr. face off for the first time as pros in the PBA Governors’ Cup Sunday at the City of Sta. Rosa Multi-Purpose Complex in Laguna.
The Grand Slam-seeking Beermen shoot for their second victory opposite the struggling Alaska Aces at 6:45 p.m. after Ravena aims to give the NLEX Road Warriors a third straight win against Parks and the Blackwater Elite at 4:30 p.m.
Import Dez Wells will try to put on another dazzling display after posting 42 points in SMB’s 130-119 romp of Phoenix Pulse last Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Wells, however, is glad to that his teammates like June Mar Fajardo, Chris Ross, Alex Cabagnot, Terrence Romeo and Arwind Santos.
“This wasn’t a one-man show,” Wells said after a putting its title bid in motion.
Alaska is out to avoid a 0-3 under new coach Jeffrey Cariaso after losing to Columbian (117-110) and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (102-83).
Meanwhile, the matchup between Ravena and Parks is expected to highlight the NLEX-Blackwater tussle.
The second generation players were on the opposite sides during their UAAP days with Ateneo and National University but also spent some time as teammates in 2017 for Alab Pilipinas in the ABL and Gilas Pilipinas in the Southeast Asian Games.
Ravena has been largely responsible for NLEX’s hot start, averaging 17.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 7.5 assists and 2.0 steals in wins over Phoenix and Meralco.
The sophomore guard is showing no signs of rust due to his 18-month FIBA suspension or fatigue after playing for Gilas in the recent FIBA World Cup in China.
Parks fired a career-high 39 points last Wednesday but his efforts went for naught as Blackwater was crushed by TNT KaTropa, 135-107, last Wednesday.
He will be back in familiar territory, having played multiple times at the Sta. Rosa venue during his days with Alab. (Jonas Terrado)
