MERALCO will look to continue its surprising start to the PBA 48th Season Philippine Cup finals as the Bolts go for a 2-0 lead on Friday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
San Miguel, however, will seek to atone and forge a tie in Game Two and finally break a win over Meralco this conference.
Here are some keys to Game Two that might make the difference for their respective teams.
Meralco vs. San Miguel
Bolts lead series, 1-0
When: Friday, June 7. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Smart-Araneta Coliseum
Watch: RPTV, PBA Rush, Pilipinas Live
JUNE MAR AND MERALCO’S DEFENSE
From the surface, June Mar Fajardo’s numbers of 23 points and 10 rebounds in Game One is good enough to win any game. But Wednesday wasn’t just any game as Fajardo had to earn every possession, especially during the fourth quarter.
The Meralco quartet of Raymond Almazan, Brandon Bates, Norbert Torres, and Kyle Pascual took turns in defending Fajardo, and San Miguel didn’t have an easy time dumping the ball to Fajardo at the post. Meralco also did a good job of double teaming Fajardo in the second half, forcing the seven-time MVP to give up the ball up in a couple of possessions.
How Fajardo will be able to adjust to the Meralco defense will be something to monitor in Game Two.
BENCH SUPPORT
The Bolts utilized their bench in Game One, even going deep by using the likes of seldom-used players Toto Jose, Alvin Pasaol, and Diego Dario. The bench mob later outscored their SMB counterparts, 27-23, in Game One.
The bench will be vital once again on Friday especially for San Miguel after Don Trollano and Jericho Cruz combined for only 14 points in Game One, just not enough production for the Beermen.
SMB’S THREE-POINT SHOTS
San Miguel and Meralco both had seven threes in the game but the Beermen could have made more. Chris Ross missed all of his three threes, and could have attempted more had he not hesitated a few times. Don Trollano shot 1-of-3 from rainbow country, his only made came late in the contest.
Three-point shots will be important for San Miguel especially if Meralco continues to double Fajardo in Game Two.
FASTBREAKS AND POINTS IN THE PAINT
For San Miguel to win Game Two, the Beermen must contain Meralco’s running game on a consistent basis. After limiting the Bolts to only four fastbreak points in the first half of Game One, Meralco collected 13 points in the transition in the second half, a trend that must continue for them in order to have a chance at a 2-0 lead in the finals.
San Miguel must also reassert itself in the paint again. The Beermen already had 32 points in the paint in the first half of Game One but only had 12 in the second half.
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