Cabagnot toughens up SMB roster

MANILA, Philippines - San Miguel Beer is a lethal team that has become extra lethal with the addition of Alex Cabagnot.

This is the Talk n Text Tropang Texters’ major concern versus the Beermen in their PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven semifinals beginning tomorrow at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

“We beat them in the elims as we defended them in a way that we can no longer do now with the presence of Cabagnot,” said Talk n Text ace guard Jayson Castro.

“We don’t have anybody who can match up with Junmar Fajardo one-on-one. Our guards were the ones who helped out defending Junmar in our elims game. We can’t do that anymore as Cabagnot would kill us with his deadly outside shooting,” Castro pointed out.

“Chris Ross can shoot, but he’s not like Cabagnot with his high-percentage shooting,” Castro added.

San Miguel Beer, the playoffs top seed, reacquired the services of Cabagnot in exchange for Sol Mercado plus two future draft picks at the end of the elims.

Cabagnot was the Globalport Batang Pier’s top gun who led all guards in the stats race in the elimination round.

The 2005 No. 2 draft pick averages 15.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.1 steals. He shot 25-of-65 from beyond the arc in the elims.

“He presents added problem for us, but for sure our coaching staff will find other way to beat San Miguel Beer,” said Castro.