GAME Three of the PBA 48th Season Philippine Cup finals will see either Meralco reclaiming the lead in the finals series or San Miguel stealing the advantage at the end of Sunday’s showdown at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
The Beermen stole Game Two from Meralco, overcoming a four-point deficit with 22 seconds remaining to beat the Bolts, 95-94. It would have been a 2-0 series lead for Meralco, but they are now knotted at 1-1 heading to Sunday.
Here are some keys to Game Three:
San Miguel vs. Meralco
Series tied 1-1
When: Sunday, June 9. 6:15 p.m.
Where: Smart-Araneta Coliseum
Watch: RPTV, PBA Rush, Pilipinas Live
STAYING COMPOSED
Game Two would have been a win for Meralco but San Miguel’s experience showed by displaying composure in the endgame, which saw CJ Perez and Marcio Lassiter hitting dagger threes. San Miguel must continue to use their championship experience in order to gain headway in the series. Meralco, on the other hand, must stay composed and not be affected by the Game Two win that got away.
CONTAINING CJ PEREZ EARLY IN THE GAME
CJ Perez bounced back on Friday by finishing with 34 points including a three-pointer that led to San Miguel’s come-from-behind win in Game Two. Perez got his rhythm early in the match by scoring eight points in the first and 12 in the second, something that Meralco must prevent in order to have a better chance at winning Game Three.
CONTROLLING THE PACE
San Miguel not only controlled the paint which is its strength, it also ran the floor which is more the type of game wherein Meralco thrives. The Beermen accumulated more points in the paint, 50-48; points off turnovers, 26-18; and fastbreak points, 20-12. Playing their pace will again be one of the keys to Game Three.
BENCH PRODUCTION
The bench will remain a key for Game Three. Last Friday, Don Trollano showed up and had 12 points. Although he didn’t hit a three in the game, Trollano stepped up on defense and crashed the boards to help San Miguel's cause. After Anjo Caram had nine points off the bench, Jansen Rios took advantage of his opportunity by scoring six including a buzzer-beating three in the first quarter. Bench production is expected to be a factor in the result of Game three.
ALMAZAN FOUL WOES
Raymond Almazan was a non-factor in Game Two. He had two early fouls and played only 13 minutes. He needs to play more minutes in order to help in defending June Mar Fajardo.
NEWSOME, QUINTO MUST BOUNCE BACK
After combining for 14-of-27 in Game One, Chris Newsome and Bong Quinto totalled just 6-of-21 last Friday in a match that they could still have won. Containing the two again will be vital for San Miguel’s chances of winning Game Three.
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