SMB kicks off philippine cup drive

Can San Miguel Beer pull through without June Mar Fajardo?

The Beermen, a powerhouse bunch used to unleashing “The Kraken” on every challenger to the PBA Philippine Cup throne the last five seasons, are now scrambling to find a solution to the Fajardo problem as their opportunistic rivals get ready to pounce on their perceived vulnerability.

The five-peat champs’ struggles to get by with Fajardo out of commission due to a fractured shin begin tonight in the Season 45 opener at the Smart Araneta Coliseum against Magnolia, the runner-up in 2018 and 2019.

“For us, this season is tough dahil wala si June Mar,” admitted coach Leo Austria, looking to get the best from the remaining personnel to cover Fajardo’s numbers of 18.9 points, a league-high 13 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.5 blocks.

“We will see tomorrow kung ‘yung adjustment namin is really enough. But I’m still confident we’ll do well dahil capable naman yung mga players na maglaro ng isang championship game,” said Austria.

The multititled coach will pin his hopes on frontliners Mo Tautuaa, Billy Mamaril and Russel Escoto to hold fort and on the backcourt crew led by Chris Ross, Alex Cabagnot and Terrence Romeo to shift to high gear offensively.

“Ang inaasahan ko ay itong mga guards ko na capable of scoring and their experience. Hopefully, ‘yung mga adjustments na ginawa namin on both offense and defense ay ma-execute namin nang maayos bukas,” he said.

First up is a Magnolia opponent aching to go all the way after back-to-back heartbreakers.

And unlike the Beermen, the Hotshots have a healthier core led by Ian Sangalang, Paul Lee, Mark Barroca, Rome dela Rosa and Chris Banchero together with trade acquisition Jackson Corpuz.

“Maganda naman preparation namin. I feel ready na kami and excited na rin mga bata for our first game,” said Magnolia mentor Chito Victolero, who expects Banchero and Corpuz to play key roles.

“Gumanda yung rotation namin. Naging mas deep ang rotation namin. Of course, we get two energy guys, mga aggressive sila so malaking tulong sila sa team. Bagay sila sa system namin,” he said.

Veterans Rafi Reavis (appendicitis) and Marc Pingris (knee injury) are likely to sit out the 7 p.m. kickoff for Magnolia.