By REYNALD MAGALLON
Game Today (Smart Araneta Coliseum) 7:30 p.m. – Meralco vs San Miguel
Is Meralco the kryptonite to the super team that is San Miguel?
That question is still far from getting answered at this point but it could very well get close to finding one if the Bolts manage to pull off another upset against defending champions Beermen in Game 2 of their best-of-seven Philippine Cup finals affair at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Friday, June 7.
Meralco guns for a 2-0 lead against San Miguel in the contest that tips off at 7:30 p.m. after taking the series opener with a masterful 92-86 win.
The burden of adjustments is on the side of the SMB and Meralco head coach Luigi Trillo is expecting a huge fightback from a team that is loaded with championship experience.
“We respect them. I kept on saying that but then again, we know they’re gonna come in with some adjustments. We need to see the mistake we made here and really focus on getting better if we need to have a chance in that Game 2,” said Trillo.
The Beermen certainly had a lot of things to plan out heading into Game 2 as they continue to struggle in solving the Bolts puzzle. SMB had beaten everyone all throughout the all-Filipino conference except Meralco which also denied them a historic sweep in the eliminations after being dealt with a 95-92 defeat.
The biggest issue that needed to be addressed for SMB is its offense. Ironically, the Beermen, who are boasting an array of offensive weapons in their arsenal, were limited to below 90 points for the first time this conference in the Game 1 loss.
In retrospect, SMB is 12-0 when it is scoring more than 100 points and scored no less than that mark in their semifinals sweep of Rain or Shine. In their only three losses this conference, the Beermen were held to 95 points or below – two of those against Meralco – a testament to the Bolts’ solid defensive stand.
The Bolts, however, are not getting too carried away by how they managed to put the clamps on the juggernaut that are the Beermen.
“It doesn’t necessarily mean that because we won Game 1 that we won the series. There’s so much work that has to be done.
We got so much more that we have to do. This is just one game. We got another one on Friday,” said Newsome who finished with 18 points alongside Chris Banchero.
June Mar Fajardo is poised to throw his weight around and tow the SMB to an equalizer but the Meralco is ready to throw the kitchen sink to the seven-time MVP with Raymond Almazan and Brandon Bates leading the charge.
The SMB bench should also step up in Game 2 after no one from their usually reliable reserves reached double-figures in Game 1. On the other hand, Allein Maliksi, Bong Quinto and Anjo Caram had provided Meralco a good lift off the bench to help pull the rug from under the mighty SMB.
