Beermen, Elasto Painters seek share of lead

MANILA, Philippines – Reigning champ San Miguel Beer and Commissioner’s Cup titlist Rain or Shine seek a share of early lead with Blackwater as they gun for a second straight win against separate rivals tonight in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo.

June Mar Fajardo and his SMB teammates tangle with the Phoenix Fuel Masters at 7 p.m. after the 4:15 p.m. setto between the Elasto Painters and the Mahindra Enforcers.

The Beermen pulled off a come-from-behind 96-88 win over the Star Hotshots during the season inaugurals, the E-Painters whipped the TNT KaTropa Texters, 101-87, last Wednesday while the Fuel Masters and the Floodbuster dropped their season debuts versus the Blackwater Elite and the GlobalPort Batang Pier, respectively.

The Fuel Masters, however, will finally show up with Gilas draftee Matthew Wright in their second game in the season while the Floodbuster are considering signing up free agents Gary David and Rey Guevarra.

Still, the Beermen and the E-Painters set out as the heavy favorites with their formidable lineups plus the momentum gained on their triumphant season debuts.

  “We’ve got to show San Miguel different looks in defending June Mar. We’ll try to limit him from being a scorer and a playmaker,” said Phoenix coach Ariel Vanguardia. “Our biggest challenge is to play tough defense without fouling. We have to keep our position underneath. We have to be strong.”

Vanguardia hopes to draw firepower from Wright, the Fil-foreign gunner who missed their first outing due to a bum stomach as the Elite came away with a 94-87 win over the Fuel Masters last Nov. 20.

A spate of crucial errors also hastened Phoenix downfall.