Sweep target ng SMB

MANILA, Philippines — Ito ang pagkakataong hindi na pakakawalan ng San Miguel.

Tangan ang 3-0 lead, sasagupain ng Beermen ang Rain or Shine Elasto Painters ngayong alas-7:30 ng gabi sa Game Four ng Season 48 PBA Philippine Cup semifinal series sa MOA Arena sa Pasay City.

Tinalo ng San Miguel ang Rain or Shine sa Game One, 101-91, sa Game Two, 106-89, at sa Game Three, 117-107, para lumapit sa asam na pang-45 finals appearance at target ang ika-30 korona.

“We just have to match that and do what we’ve been doing. Then I think we’re gonna be okay,” ani Beermen coach Jorge Gallent. “We’ll just do it step by step. In case it (sweep) is there, it’s there. If not, we just have to work harder in Game 5.”

Hindi naman papayag ang Elasto Painters na basta na lamang mawalis sa kanilang best-of-seven semifinals showdown.

“At 3-0, all you can think about right now is try to get over one game and try not to be swept,” sabi ni mentor Yeng Guiao. “Iyon lang naman ang puwede mong isipin at this point.”

Bagama’t nalimitahan ni Rain or Shine big man Beau Belga si seven-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo sa 14 points mula sa masamang 4-of-11 field goal shooting sa Game Three ay bumanat naman sina CJ Perez, Marcio Lassiter at Don Trollano ng pinagsamang 64 points.

“This could have been our best chance to win against San Miguel. We could have been back in the race. It was a crucial game. You go down 0-3, it’s almost impossible to get back,” wika ni Guiao.

Sa unang laro sa alas-4:30 ng hapon ay pupuntiryahin ng Meralco ang 3-1 bentahe sa kanilang semis duel ng Barangay Ginebra.

Matapos kunin ng Gin Kings ang Game One, 92-88, ay inagaw ng Bolts ang Games Two, 102-91, at Three, 87-80, para sa 2-1 lead sa serye.