Game Today
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
5 p.m. – San Miguel Beer vs Star
STAR coach Chito Victolero has laid down the things that his Hotshots would need to do as they try to slay the giant that is San Miguel Beer in their Final Four series in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup beginning Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Victolero has figured out the things they need to do starting with the 5 p.m. contest, and it would be up to the team to execute.
“We need to be mentally tough, emotionally composed and physically prepared for this tough series,” he said as his Hotshots set off as the slight underdogs against the rock-solid Beermen. “We know they have an advantage on many aspects, but our desire, effort and chemistry on both ends will help us compete and hopefully win the series.”
San Miguel’s biggest advantage – in the literal sense – is reigning three-time MVP June Mar Fajardo, the talented 6-foot-10 cornerstone who is a match-up problem to any team in the league.
The Beermen defeated the Hotshots the only time they clashed, 103-97 on April 16 when Star was still bannered by Tony Mitchell.
Ricardo Ratliffe came in late and helped the Hotshots finish No. 3 in the eliminations, but he and counterpart Charles Rhodes could end up cancelling each other out and making the locals the deciding factor in this best-of-five series.
Rhodes scored 26 points and had 10 rebounds in that win despite picking up his fourth foul in the first half. He has learned a lot in managing his fouls since that game and is one of the leading contenders for the Best Import award.
Alex Cabagnot, the leading Best Player of the Conference candidate, and Chris Ross make up for the most efficient offense-defense guard combo of the tournament, and it will be up to Paul Lee and Marc Barroca to step up and neutralize their counterparts.
Marcio Lassiter and Allein Maliksi can basically light it up from the outside for their respective sides, but the continued absence of defensive specialist Marc Pingris could prove to be crucial for Star.
With Pingris out, Arwind Santos looms as a concern for Victolero on both ends as the former MVP can score heavily while at the same time put the clamps on anyone.
“Staying positive and staying together will make us a better team,” Victolero said.
The other half of the Final Four will pit No. 1 Barangay Ginebra against either TNT Katropa or Meralco, which were disputing the last semifinal slot at press time.
That series will start Sunday at 6:30 p.m. also at the Big Dome in Cubao.