MANILA, Philippines — Habang kaagad sinibak ng Alaska ang San Miguel, kinailangan naman ng Meralco na talunin ang Phoenix bago makapasok sa semifinal round ng 2018 PBA Governor’s Cup.
May bitbit na ‘twice-to-beat’ advantage, pinatalsik ng Aces ang San Miguel Beermen, 96-85 habang pinadapa ng Bolts ang Fuel Masters, 90-74 at 108-103 (overtime), sa quarterfinals para maplantsa ang kanilang best-of-five semifinals series.
“It’s almost like every game for the last three weeks have been pressure-laden. There was really no room for error as far as our execution on offense and defense,” sabi ni one-time PBA Grand Slam champion coach Norman Black sa kanyang Meralco na nasa isang six-game winning streak.
Sisimulan ng Bolts at Aces ang kanilang semifinals wars sa Game One ngayong alas-6:30 ng gabi sa Ynares Center sa Antipolo City.
“The problem is we’re playing Alaska in two days,” wika ni Black. “But I’m sure the guys we’ll continue what they’re doing now. I’m sure we’ll be ready on Sunday.”
Sina two-time PBA Best Import Allen Durham, 2017 PBA Rookie of the Year Chris Newsome, Baser Amer, Reynel Hugnatan, Mike Tolomia, Nico Salva at Niño Canaleta ang muling aasahan ng Meralco.
Sasandal naman si coach Alex Compton kina reinforcement Mike Harris, Vic Manuel, JVee Casio, Simon Enciso, Sonny Thoss, Kevin Racal at rookie Jeron Teng para sa Alaska.
“We’ve been here before,” wika ni Durham na inaasahang makakatapat ang 35-anyos na si Harris. “We just got to keep fighting. Whatever the score is in the end, that’s something we have to live with. We gonna fight until the clock says zero.”
Hangad ng Bolts na makapasok sa best-of-seven championship series ng season-ending conference sa ikatlong sunod na taon.