Game Today
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
6:15 p.m. – Meralco vs San Miguel
(Bolts lead series 3-2)
By REYNALD MAGALLON
It’s a date with destiny for Meralco and a battle for survival for San Miguel.
The Bolts are looking to etch their name in PBA history while the Beermen are hoping to force a winner-take-all in Game 6 of the 2024 Philippine Cup Finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, June 16.
Holding on to a 3-2 series lead in a best-of-seven affair for the first time in franchise history, Meralco is determined to not leave everything to chance as it aims to put the dagger to the heart of the defending champion San Miguel in the clash set at 6:30 p.m.
That’s easier said than done, though, especially against the battle-tested Beermen. Momentum, however, is clearly on the side of theBolts after a gripping 92-88 victory in Game 5.
The Bolts are laser focused on Game 6 that the entire squad is in no mood for celebration after moving on cusp of historic first PBA title since joining the league in 2010.
“What’s to be happy about. Wala pa naman eh we don’t think sa future. Stay in the moment and prepare for the Sunday’s games,” said Maliksi channeling his best Kobe Bryant ‘job’s not finished’ impersonation.
Getting the rare shot at closing out a title series, coach Luigi Trillo believes his players have the tools and experience to pull off the first back-to-back win in the Finals to finish off SMB.
“Most of these guys are vets, siguro si Brandon lang ang new sa finals. Allein won championships, I think, with Magnolia. Part of that core. Raymond has been a part of that. New, Cliff, a couple of those guys, we’ve been to a couple of finals appearances against Ginebra,” said Trillo.
“We’re ready,” he assured.
Meralco should indeed be ready for the fightback from the Beermen who certainly has the ability to comeback in a title engraved to their genes.
SMB has come back from a 0-3 deficit in the past and a 2-3 disadvantage shouldn’t be a problem for the powerhouse team. For one, they already did it in the past, winning the title against Magnolia and TNT in the 2019 and 2022 Philippine Cup Finals both after staring into a similar Finals series hole.
“Sana mangyari rin ‘yan [we can come back from a series]. Pagsisipagan namin ‘yung next game kasi gusto namin makuha ‘yung championship Hindi namin basta basta ibibigay ‘yun,” said June Mar Fajardo who will need more of his herculean effort heading into Game 6 just like his 38-point, 18-rebound explosion in Game 5.
He, however, will need more support from the rest of the crew with only CJ Perez the only other Beerman who finished in double-figures in Friday’s loss.
Terrence Romeo, Marcio Lassiter, Don Trollano and Jericho Cruz must connect from the deep to keep Meralco’s defense guessing while they also need to put the clamps down on the Bolts balanced scoring which got solid contributions from Newsome, Quinto, Hodge and Maliksi.
