Grand Slam-seeking San Miguel Beer and NLEX try to keep their unbeaten slates in the Governors’ Cup intact Friday as the PBA makes its return to Dubai after a four-year hiatus.
The two teams square off at the Coca-Cola Arena slated 8 p.m. local time (12 midnight Manila time) with the Beermen going for a third straight win and the Road Warriors gunning for a fourth victory and the solo lead in the season-ending conference.
NLEX is hoping to come away with the win in the first of back-to-back games in the bustling Middle East city, a stretch that will determine whether the Road Warriors are a team ready to compete against the league’s perennial big guns.
Coach Yeng Guiao and the Road Warriors take on Barangay Ginebra San Miguel the following day at the same venue.
Guiao is hoping that his team can keep up with the impressive shooting display that saw NLEX make more than 50-percent of its shots behind Kiefer Ravena, JR Quinahan, Philip Paniamogan, Kenneth Ighalo, Larry Fonacier and Bong Galanza.
But the former national team coach admitted that things the Road Warriors will eventually fall into a slump.
“Those things don’t last,” said Guiao. “At some point it’s gonna stop and you better be ready with playing good defense and just executing your regular offense.”
SMB coach Leo Austria said Ravena won’t be the only player his team will have to focus.
Austria will bank on import Dez Wells, June Mar Fajardo, Terrence Romeo, Chris Ross, Alex Cabagnot and Arwind Santos to give the Beermen another win.
The two-day event in Dubai is the PBA’s first since Alaska took on Mahindra (Columbian) and Ginebra at the Zabeel Stadium in Nov. 2015.
Meanwhile, two games are also set at the Mall of Asia Arena with Alaska and Rain or Shine parading new imports.
Franko House replaces injured Justin Watts as the Aces take on the Meralco Bolts at 4:30 p.m. while Kayel Locle fills in for the inefficient Joel Wright when the Elasto Painters face the defending champion Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok at 7 p.m.
