Games today:
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
4 p.m. — Blackwater vs TNT
8 p.m. — San Miguel vs Ginebra
Terrence Romeo will be at the helm when San Miguel Beer shoots for a crucial win over Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in the Commissioner’s Cup of the Philippine Basketball Association today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Action starts at 8 p.m. with the Beermen set to parade Romeo for the first time since suffering a bruised shin last month to somehow boost their chances against the powerhouse Kings.
Romeo’s return, however, will be a welcome development to the crippled Beermen, who are still missing the services of key players like June Mar Fajardo (fractured finger), Vic Manuel (knee surgery) and Jeron Teng (hamstring).
With Romeo set to return, import Ivan Aska will be given another chance to prove his worth and lead the Beermen to their fourth win in seven matches.
San Miguel team manager Gee Abanilla said although they are very satisfied with Aska’s performance, they have to make the tough decision of replacing him with Bennie Boatwright to fill the void created by the absence of Fajardo, a seven-time Most Valuable Player.
“Ivan is still here and he’s going to play for us,” said Abanilla, adding that Boatwright can suit up any time as he is already in the country.
“We’re giving Boatwright enough time to get him more immersed to the team’s system.”
Interestingly, both the Beermen and the Gin Kings are coming off separate losses.
In fact, San Miguel lost back-to-back games, including against an import-less NorthPort team, 101-115 on 8 December at the Philsports Arena.
The Kings, on the other hand, were stunned by the up and coming Phoenix Super LPG side, 77-82, in San Juan, Batangas, last 9 December, and coach Tim Cone and his troops are raring to get back in action.
“We’re still playing without Scottie (Thompson) and then we lost Nards Pinto (suspected broken nose) after a collision with Phoenix import Jonathan Williams in the second half. In hindsight, I should have gone deeper in the lineup,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone, who used a short rotation of only eight players in their setback to the Fuel Masters.
Meanwhile, TNT takes on Blackwater in the first game at 4 p.m. in a bid to restart another winning run.
The Tropang Giga got back on track and arrested an alarming skid following a 113-97 bashing of NLEX, spoiling Asi Taulava’s farewell match and the Road Warriors’ welcoming party on new recruit Robert Bolick.
