Games today
Araneta Coliseum
4:15 p.m.- NLEX vs. Barako Bull
7:00 p.m.- Meralco vs. San Miguel Beer
San Miguel seeks second straight win, faces Meralco
The defending champions San Miguel Beermen try to make it two in a row when they play the retooled Meralco Bolts in the main game of today’s double-header of the 41st PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
San Miguel started its title-defense with an 87-86 win over the GlobalPort Batang Pier last Saturday in Davao City where Cebuano big man June Mar Fajardo was throwing his weight around.
The 6-foot-10 back-to-back MVP winner collected 21 points, 17 rebounds and three blocks to lead the Beermen, who won two titles last season.
The Beermen will be facing a Meralco team, which underwent a major facelift in the off-season.
Jimmy Alapag will be suiting up for the Bolts, who acquired the veteran point guard from Talk ‘N Text after he decided to come out of retirement.
The ageless Asi Taulava of NLEX Road Warriors puts up a jumper over Blackwater defenders in their previous game. NLEX faces Barako Bull today.
Meralco will also have the come-backing Rabeh Al-Hussaini, free-agent acquisitions Bryan Faundo and Ronjay Buenafe and rookie draftee Chris Newsome.
Those new acquisitions will be teaming up with old faces Gary David, Cliff Hodge, Jared Dillinger, Rey Hugnatan, Rey Guevarra, John Ferriols and Kelly Nabong.
“We are complete and relatively healthy except for the absence of Baser Amer who is still with San Beda,” said Meralco head coach Norman Black.
Also gunning for a second straight victory are the NLEX Road Warriors, who will be taking on Barako Bull Energy.
The Road Warriors started the All-Filipino Conference with a close 90-86 victory over Blackwater last Friday,.
NLEX is looking for its first-ever 2-0 start and coach Boyet Fernandez is expecting a tough match against the Energy.
“I am wary of Barako. I haven’t seen them play in an actual PBA game. We played them in the off-season and we won. But knowing coach Koy (Banal) he will have something up his sleeve so we just have to be ready.”
Barako Bull was one of the busiest teams in the off-season after it acquired ex-Barangay Ginebra players Josh Urbiztondo, Emman Monfort, Jens Knuttel and Mac Baracael; Jeric Fortuna, Mick Pennisi, Jervy Cruz and Prince Caperal from GlobalPort and rookies Michael Miranda and Yutien Andrada.