The San Miguel Beermen is scheduled for a head-to-head game against the Phoenix Petroleum Fuel Masters at 4:15 P.M. on June 6, 2017 in Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Beermen are aiming to be the first team to move to the semi-finals round while the Fuel Masters wanted to have another daylight and enjoy their what-seems-to-be bonus spot in the quarterfinals round.
Last time where both teams met each other was in April 7, the Beermen dominated that game and ended up with a lopsided loss for Phoenix 110-88.
“Matagal nang tapos ang (elimination) game na iyon and I’m sure they’ve learned their lessons from that,” said Beermen coach Leo Austria. “Besides, playoffs na ito and what we should do is keep our focus, execute and play well on both ends of the court.”
Phoenix also have a good memory playing with San Miguel especially in the first conference where they’re the only team in the league to put blemish on the previously flawless record of SMB in the eliminations round.
Most likely because of the momentum he still have during the SEABA tournament, Matthew Wright’s shooting from the three-point area still blazing in the PBA.
In their last outing against NLEX Road Warriors, Wright recorded a career-high of 42 points. Phoenix’s rookie converted five three-pointers in nine attempts.
Probably he is part of the surprise of coach Ariel Vanguardia to SMB in order to put Fajardo and Rhodes to work and move them out of the paint and chase the streaking Matthew Wright.
“We’ve got to keep Fajardo and Rhodes off the paint and make them defend on the other end,” said Vanguardia. “We need to pull off some surprises,” he added.