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Resurgent SMB plays Purefoods
By: Zean Macamay, Journal Online
SAN Miguel Beer aims to extend its winning streak to five games tonight when it clashes with a Purefoods team seeking to
register its first back-to-back victories for the season, even as defending champion Talk ‘N Text tries to rebound from a
stinging loss without perhaps two key players in the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
After a 0-2 (win-loss) start, the Beermen have pulled together four straight wins punctuated by an emphatic 88-69 triumph
over Sta. Lucia Realty last Nov. 7, and will now be hoping that they maintain the same form against the dangerous Giants.
Like San Miguel, Purefoods is also coming off a big win. The Giants recorded a morale-boosting victory last Sunday – a 108-
102 victory over Talk ‘N Text, which battles lowly but unpredictable Coca-Cola in the opener at 5 p.m.
“It’s going to be a tough game match-up wise for us,” said SMB coach Siot Tanquingcen. “They have the height and length.
So we have to rely less on our individual defense and concentrate more on our team defense.”
The Beermen have held their last two opponents to an average of 73 points, a good indicator of how well their defensive
rotation clicks. Yet, even though San Miguel has been superb on defense, its offense has not been suffering, averaging 99.5
points in its last four outings.
“We have to be disciplined on our offense,” added Tanquingcen.
Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio, however, is determined to steer the team to its first successive wins this season.
“The plan is to win back-to-back game for the first time this season. We want to make sure that the sharpness and
toughness on both ends of the floor that we displayed against TNT can be executed against San Miguel,” said Gregorio.
At the same time, Gregorio said that for his team to put an end to San Miguel’s run, the Giants offense should be at near-
perfection.
“They (Beermen) force a lot of turnovers and turn them into points,” said Gregorio. “We must execute our offense with
precision.”
Rookie Rico Maierhofer surprisingly led Purefoods in scoring in the win against the Tropang Texters, collecting career-highs
of 20 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocks. Although pitted against veteran players, the former De La Salle slotman is expected
again to play a key role.
The Texters, meantime, may likely play without Jared Dillinger and Harvey Carey because of injuries.
“Coca-Cola is tough, but our main concern is our health as both Jared and Carey are doubtful for the game,” said TNT coach
Chot Reyes, eyeing to steer TNT to a repeat title romp, the first since Great Taste in 1985.
The Tigers will come into the game fresh from a victory, a 93-79 shell-lacking off Purefoods in what turned out to be the team’
s first win this season after three straight defeats.
“We’re expecting a tough game because TNT is expected to rebound from a loss,” said Coca-Cola coach Kenneth
Duremdes. “Dapat maging solid mga guards naming in trying to contain their guards especially (Jimmy) Alapag, (Mac-Mac)
Cardona and (Jason) Castro.”
By: Zean Macamay, Journal Online
SAN Miguel Beer aims to extend its winning streak to five games tonight when it clashes with a Purefoods team seeking to
register its first back-to-back victories for the season, even as defending champion Talk ‘N Text tries to rebound from a
stinging loss without perhaps two key players in the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
After a 0-2 (win-loss) start, the Beermen have pulled together four straight wins punctuated by an emphatic 88-69 triumph
over Sta. Lucia Realty last Nov. 7, and will now be hoping that they maintain the same form against the dangerous Giants.
Like San Miguel, Purefoods is also coming off a big win. The Giants recorded a morale-boosting victory last Sunday – a 108-
102 victory over Talk ‘N Text, which battles lowly but unpredictable Coca-Cola in the opener at 5 p.m.
“It’s going to be a tough game match-up wise for us,” said SMB coach Siot Tanquingcen. “They have the height and length.
So we have to rely less on our individual defense and concentrate more on our team defense.”
The Beermen have held their last two opponents to an average of 73 points, a good indicator of how well their defensive
rotation clicks. Yet, even though San Miguel has been superb on defense, its offense has not been suffering, averaging 99.5
points in its last four outings.
“We have to be disciplined on our offense,” added Tanquingcen.
Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio, however, is determined to steer the team to its first successive wins this season.
“The plan is to win back-to-back game for the first time this season. We want to make sure that the sharpness and
toughness on both ends of the floor that we displayed against TNT can be executed against San Miguel,” said Gregorio.
At the same time, Gregorio said that for his team to put an end to San Miguel’s run, the Giants offense should be at near-
perfection.
“They (Beermen) force a lot of turnovers and turn them into points,” said Gregorio. “We must execute our offense with
precision.”
Rookie Rico Maierhofer surprisingly led Purefoods in scoring in the win against the Tropang Texters, collecting career-highs
of 20 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocks. Although pitted against veteran players, the former De La Salle slotman is expected
again to play a key role.
The Texters, meantime, may likely play without Jared Dillinger and Harvey Carey because of injuries.
“Coca-Cola is tough, but our main concern is our health as both Jared and Carey are doubtful for the game,” said TNT coach
Chot Reyes, eyeing to steer TNT to a repeat title romp, the first since Great Taste in 1985.
The Tigers will come into the game fresh from a victory, a 93-79 shell-lacking off Purefoods in what turned out to be the team’
s first win this season after three straight defeats.
“We’re expecting a tough game because TNT is expected to rebound from a loss,” said Coca-Cola coach Kenneth
Duremdes. “Dapat maging solid mga guards naming in trying to contain their guards especially (Jimmy) Alapag, (Mac-Mac)
Cardona and (Jason) Castro.”