Sans two Dannys, SMB faces tall odds

With Danny Seigle joining Danny Ildefonso on the sidelines, San Miguel Beer could face rough sailing versus the inspired Sta. Lucia Realty side today in the Talk n Text PBA Phillipine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum today.

Meanwhile, red-hot Barangay Ginebra is fancied to make it three in a row for the solo lead in the team standings as it plays Air21 in the day’s other game.

San Miguel coach Chot Reyes has decided to rest Seigle due to back spasms he suffered in practice three days before their first game against Red Bull last Friday.

"We just tried him against Red Bull, and we saw that he’s really having a hard time with his injury. So we decided to rest him for at least two games. We’ll see how my other players react without him," said Reyes.

"We’ll surely have problem with Sta. Lucia’s size. We’ll try to compensate on other things," Reyes added.

Ildefonso, the team’s other star forward, is in the injured list as he’s still recovering from an ankle surgery he went through after the recent Philippine Cup. He could be back in November.

The two-time MVP winner has a lot of catching-up to do since Reyes has practically reinvented the Beermen, giving up their deliberate half-court game for pressure defense and running attack.

"That’s the way to compete now. A team must be able to run and pressure," said Reyes. "It’s not yet looking good the way we do it since we’re still trying to get used to the system."

The Realtors are also working double time to develop team chemistry with the return of Alex Cabagnot and the arrival of new recruits Kelly Williams, Mark Isip and Ronnie Bughao.

"We’re having hell of practices and you can ask the players. But I think it’s paying off," said Sta. Lucia coach Alfrancis Chua.