SAN Miguel goes for a record sweep of the PBA Philippine Cup eliminations on Saturday in the penultimate playdate of the season-ending conference.
The Beermen will try to carve out history at the Batangas City Coliseum when they go up against the Meralco Bolts at 6:15 p.m.
San Miguel romped its way to the playoffs with a perfect 10-0 record to lock in the no. 1 seed and a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.
Meralco though, is also seeking to win this one in order to formalize its entry to the next round.
The other half of the weekend twin bill will have also-ran teams Blackwater and Phoenix battling each other in a virtual no-bearing game at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
TEAM STANDINGS
San Miguel 10-0
Barangay Ginebra 7-3
Magnolia 6-4
Rain or Shine 6-4
NLEX 5-5
TNT 5-5
Meralco 5-5
Terrafirma 5-6
NorthPort 5-6
Blackwater 3-7
Phoenix 3-7
Converge 2-9
Here’s a peek on Saturday’s featured games in two different venues.
BLACKWATER vs. PHOENIX
When: May 4, 3 p.m.
Where: Ynares Sports Arena
Watch: RPTV, PBA Rush, Pilipinas Live
BOSSING EYE TO END LOSING STREAK
Blackwater owns the second longest losing streak this conference at seven behind the eighth of Converge. The skid obviously led to the ouster of the Bossing in the race for a playoffs berth after starting their campaign by winning their first three outings. Coach Jeff Cariaso certainly wants a graceful exit for the team under his first season.
FUEL MASTERS WANT TO EXIT ON A WINNING NOTE
Things didn’t pan out for Phoenix in the Philippine Cup after overachieving in the Commissioner’s Cup where the franchise reached the semis for the first time in four years. The Fuel Masters could only muster three wins in 10 outings in the all-Filipino conference as injuries to starting guard Tyler Tio, Sean Manganti, Jason Perkins, RR Garcia, and Raoul Soyud hurt the campaign of the team. Winning its final game of the season is certainly a must for the Fuel Masters.
SAN MIGUEL vs. MERALCO
When: May 4, 6:15 p.m.
Where: Batangas City Coliseum
Watch: RPTV, PBA Rush, Pilipinas Live
CAN SMB COMPLETE 11-GAME SWEEP?
San Miguel coach Jorge Gallent repeatedly stressed the team approaches its game like a ladder, taking things step by step.
But a win over the Bolts would have the Beermen achieving something special as they will become just the fifth team in league history to do the feat, but only the first franchise to do it twice.
At the same time, they will likewise extend their franchise all-time record of 12 straight wins dating back to their victories in Games 5 and 6 of the Commissioner’s Cup finals against Magnolia.
MERALCO TRIES TO AVOID GOING THROUGH A PLAYOFF
The Bolts situation is simple. Win over the mighty Beermen and advance to the playoffs. Lose the game and risk of playing in a do-or-die game for the remaining quarterfinals berth.
Meralco certainly would want to take the faster route especially with the team one man down following the torn ACL suffered by guard Aaron Black the previous game.
The Bolts will go to the game on a two-game winning streak.
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