Beermen out to end semis series vs Aces

MANILA, Philippines — Mighty San Miguel Beer swept past Alaska Milk, 4-0, in their 2015 Governors Cup Finals faceoff then scored a reverse sweep in its epic fightback from 0-3 down in the succeeding Philippine Cup title playoff.

And June Mar Fajardo and the Beermen look poised to once again pull off a shutout playoff win against the Aces.

Two-games-to-nil up, the Beermen go for the kill versus the beleaguered Alaska side, taking the first of their three shots at a finals slot in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum tonight.

A victory by the Beermen in Game Three of their best-of-five Final Four clash will dash the Aces’ hope to end a 14-conference title drought and keep SMB on course towards winning a possible second jewel to a possible grand slam season.

Tipoff is at 7 p.m.

Meanwhile, Game Two of the Barangay Ginebra-Rain or Shine semis matchup set last night was postponed due to inclement weather.

“Safety and security of the fans, players and officials are always of utmost importance,” said PBA commissioner Willie Marcial in announcing the postponement.

The game is rescheduled at 7 p.m. tomorrow, also at the Big Dome.

San Miguel pulled off a wire-to-wire 92-79 victory in Game One then rose from the depth of a 16-point deficit to hack out a 105-94 triumph in Game Two.

Fajardo said they would do their best to finish the series tonight so they could have some breather before the championship grind.

“But for sure, it won’t be easy. Alaska would fight hard to extend the series, and we have to be ready. We can’t relax,” said Fajardo.

“We also have to stay focused,” Fajardo also said, ruing an emotional outburst where he’s called a technical foul in the second quarter in Game Two.

“I lost my focus. Thanks to my teammates, they helped me recover,” said the four-time MVP winner, who is in the running for yet another Best Player of the Conference award. “Sorry, nanggigil ako.”

As he regained his bearing, Fajardo came through with a huge double-double game with 21 points and 18 rebounds as he tore apart the defense of the helpless Sonny Thoss.