MANILA, Philippines — Huling naglaro ang San Miguel noong Mayo 24 kung saan nila kinumpleto ang 4-0 sweep sa Rain or Shine sa kanilang best-of-seven semifinals showdown sa Season 48 PBA Philippine Cup.
Ang epekto ng nasabing 11-day break ang inaalala ni Beermen ni coach Jorge Gallent sa kanilang pagsagupa sa Meralco Bolts sa championship series na magsisimula bukas sa Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“We didn’t know who to prepare for until Game Seven of the semis. I’m just scared that we might be rusty but we’ll see,” wika kahapon ni Gallent sa SMB na maglalaro sa kanilang pang-44 finals appearance target ang ika-30 korona.
Sasalang naman ang Meralco sa kanilang pang-limang finals stint puntirya ang kauna-unahang kampeonato sapul nang bilhin ang Sta. Lucia franchise noong 2010.
Tinakasan ng Bolts ang karibal na Ginebra Gin Kings, 4-3, sa kanilang semifinals duel.
Bagama’t mahaba ang naging pahinga ay inaasahan ni Meralco mentor Luigi Trillo na ipapakita pa rin ng San Miguel ang kanilang dominasyon sa series opener pa lamang.
“One thing I know is that San Miguel is going to be ready, they’re going to be well-coached. Like us, we’re in the same situation. There’s so many things to say but until we get to the court, that’s when things are really going to start happening for both teams,” ani Trillo na iginiya ang Alaska sa PBA crown noong 2013 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
Muling ibabandera ng Beermen sina seven-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo, Marcio Lassiter at Chris Ross na target ang kani-kanilang ika-11 PBA title.
Aasahan naman ng Bolts sina Chris Newsome, Allen Maliksi, Cliff Hodge at Chris Banchero.
“Our main motto for this team is doing things step by step. This is, for us, the most important thing—the fourth step, and of course, we’ll be happy to deliver the 30th franchise title for San Miguel,” wika ni Gallent.