DEATH BLOW
Ten straight wins to reach the semifinals of the PBA Philippine Cup should give San Miguel Beer enough confidence going into a crack semifinal affair with either Converge or Barangay Ginebra.
But June Mar Fajardo can’t rely on just momentum alone as they brace for a tough challenge in their next step towards repeating as champions of the league’s most prestigious championship.
“The eliminations and [the quarterfinals] are over,” said Fajardo after the Beermen eliminated Robert Bolick and the NLEx Road Warriors, 101-94, in their Christmas Day quarterfinal showdown at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“Those (are in) the past,” the 6-foot-10 Fajardo added. “When it comes to the semifinals, it’s back to zero and we have to avoid being complacent because it’s going to be hard to get to the Finals.
“But I know we are capable of getting there.”
Converge and Ginebra were playing at press time, with the FiberXers carrying a twice-to-beat advantage. If the Gin Kings prevail, a knockout game will be held on Sunday at the same venue.
San Miguel beat both teams during the eliminations, taking an 83-81 victory over Ginebra on Oct. 26 in Dubai before outlasting Converge with a 96-90 decision a week later.
“We have to work hard, prepare hard for these upcoming semifinals,” said coach Leo Austria.
Tough behind Bolick
The semifinals will begin on Jan. 4, with both matchups being best-of-seven affairs.
TNT squares off with Magnolia while Rain or Shine faces Meralco in the two other quarterfinals on Saturday.
Fajardo powered his way for 26 points and 23 rebounds, plus six assists, that enabled the Beermen to continue their winning form after starting the conference with back-to-back defeats.
San Miguel shook off a determined NLEx side that had Bolick back after the gunslinger played a major part in Gilas Pilipinas’ run to the gold at the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.
The Beermen overcame a 53-47 halftime deficit, powered by Bolick, with Don Trollano coming through with 15 of his 17 points in the third to give them the lead for good.
Jericho Cruz also stepped up with his 18 points, CJ Perez scored 14 and Rodney Brondial grabbed 14 rebounds.
Bolick finished with 31 points, playing as if he was still in the Thai capital, powering the hastily formed Gilas team to one comeback after another.
But there was no comeback for Bolick in his return to club duties as the Road Warriors were booted out after a 6-2 start was followed by three straight losses that denied them a twice-to-beat bonus.
Bolick wasn’t there to help the Road Warriors prevent that slide, as he answered the call of flag and country at the last minute to help the Nationals to the gold that mattered most.
