Games Today
(Rizal Memorial Coliseum)
5 p.m. – Magnolia vs Converge
7:30 p.m. – San Miguel vs Meralco
It’s a trip down the memory lane as San Miguel and Meralco flaunt their respective retro jerseys when they provide the fireworks to the PBA’ 50th anniversary celebration at the fabled Rizal Memorial Coliseum, Wednesday, April 9.
Raising the curtain in the first offering is a clash between Converge and Magnolia at 5 p.m. before the much-awaited rematch between the last season’s All-Filipino finals protagonists at 7:30 p.m.
The Bolts are gunning for a 3-0 record after taking down the Converge FiberXers and Terrafirma Dyip in their first two assignments while the Beermen are eyeing their second win after opening the conference in style against the NLEX Road Warriors.
Up against the same team that ended their dominance in the all-Filipino conference when they lost to Meralco in six games last season, San Miguel is eager to get some measure of revenge in the contest and there’s no better stage to do it than the league’s golden anniversary celebration
“Well it’s an opportunity for us because that’s our 50th anniversary. And we’re up against the team that beat us in the All-Filipino,” said SMB head coach Leo Austria.
“I think we’re focused on that game. But there’s no grudge match between us. But we have to do better because that’s the only way for us to redeem ourselves,” he added pertaining to SMB’s Game 6 loss to Meralco where Chris Newsome nailed the buzzer-beating jumper.
The Beermen and the Bolts will wear the retro jersey the two teams wore during their time in the Manila Industrial Commercial Athletic Association (MICAA).
“Maganda. It’s nice to the league. Malaking karangalan ito para sa amin. It’s more than us. Meralco has been there even before,” said Meralco head coach Luigi Trillo who shares the same excitement with the players ahead of the clash.
“As a fan, bata pa lang ako napapanood ko na (ang PBA), kaya gusto kong maging PBA player. Now na nandito na ako, tapos makapaglaro at makapag-celebrate ng 50 years, sobrang blessed kami ng mga teammates ko, and siyempre yung organization,” said Bong Quinto on his part.
Of course, out to lead the Beermen are June Mar Fajardo, Marcio Lassiter, Chris Ross, Juami Tiongson and CJ Perez while expected to banner the defending champions are Newsome, Quinto, Raymond Almazan and Aaron Black.
