WAYBACK WEDNESDAY: PBA goes retro as pioneer clubs collide

Games today:

(Rizal Memorial Coliseum)

5 p.m. — Magnolia vs Converge

7:30 p.m. — Meralco vs San Miguel

Repeat-seeking Meralco and San Miguel Beer rekindle their championship rivalry in an exciting match sprinkled with a pinch of nostalgia as the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) celebrates its golden anniversary today at the historic Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Donning their retro jerseys, the Bolts shoot for a third straight victory to keep a tight hold of the top spot against the Beermen, who are eyeing back-to-back wins in the main game at 7:30 p.m.

Meanwhile, Magnolia and Converge duke it out at 5 p.m., both seeking to win their second in a row.

Meralco is playing its third game in six days, and head coach Luigi Trillo welcomes the early finals rematch against the powerhouse team his squad defeated in six games for the franchise’s breakthrough crown.

The Bolts swept through their first two games, eking out a 91-89 escape over Converge to open their campaign highlighted by Chris Newsome pulling up for the game-winning jumper with 0.8 second left — a déjà vu of his championship-clinching jump shot in last year’s finals.

Meralco, who will be missing injured Allein Maliksi (back injury) for the conference, flexed its firepower just last Sunday after crushing Terrafirma, 118-80, for the team’s biggest winning margin.

“Sometimes you can look at the disadvantages of four straight games (in 10 days). But for us, it’s a blessing playing three straight (games),” Trillo said.

“I think the main thing for us is you can never get into game shape until you play in the game. So, I think we can use our last two games as a basis.”

The Bolts mentor expects another explosive encounter with the Beermen raring for a payback.

“We have rich traditions from our ball clubs, when we play each other, there’s high respect for each other. Then we saw how great the all-Filipino was (last year), we know San Miguel, right? So, I don’t think there’s any advantage there. I think just for us, we have two games. At least we have our (momentum) in,” he added.

“But they’re gonna come back. You know San Miguel, right? They haven’t been winning in a while. So, Coach Leo (Austria) has that team going. They’re gonna be ready. You know, they’re the oldest team, but they’re also the most experienced team. So, we’re excited to play on that Wednesday.”

San Miguel, on the other hand, started its redemption tour on a high note after a forgettable Commissioner’s Cup campaign.

The Beermen defeated NLEX, 98-89, last Saturday behind an outstanding performance from CJ Perez, eight-time Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo and Juami Tiongson.

“It’s an opportunity for us. It’s our 50th anniversary and we’re up against the team that beat us in the all-Filipino. We’re focused on that game,” Austria said.

“But there’s no grudge match between us, but we have to do better because that’s the only way for us to redeem ourselves. It’s good that the game is hyped because of the anniversary and good for the (local) basketball community. This is a very prestigious game.”

Meanwhile, the Hotshots eye a follow-up to their 106-84 victory over Blackwater in their tournament opener.

The FiberXers sport a 1-1 win-loss slate, bouncing back from their opening day loss with a 92-83 triumph over winless Phoenix last Sunday.