GIGANTIC BATTLE

Giants take center stage as behemoth June Mar Fajardo leads San Miguel Beer against the big man duo Justin Arana and Justine Baltazar-led Converge in an all-important battle in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup today at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Scorching hot with a four-game romp, the Beermen look to lock on a quarterfinals twice-to-beat advantage in the main game set at 7:30 p.m.

San Miguel has been on a roll after a shaky start to move up to solo second spot in the standings with a 7-2 win-loss record just behind NLEX (8-2).

The Road Warriors, already assured of a quarters incentive, seek to build momentum going into the next round in an end of elims clash with free falling NorthPort at 5 p.m.

All eyes will be on 6-foot-10 Fajardo as the eight-time Most Valuable Player tests the mettle of Arana and Baltazar, whose partnership at the shaded lane makes the FiberXers a dangerous team to deal with.

The Beermen are fresh off a 120-111 victory over Rain or Shine in Cagayan De Oro City last Saturday behind Fajardo’s near double-double of 20 points and nine rebounds.

Backstopping Fajardo are CJ Perez, who dropped 33 points last game, Don Trollano, Marcio Lassiter and Juami Tiongson.

Parading a 6-4 card, Converge mathematically has a chance to move up to the Top Four if it beats the Beermen. However, all will still depend on the results of other quarters-bound teams’ games with just three playdates left in the elimination round.

The FiberXers demolished Terrafirma, 117-103, last 28 May.

Meanwhile, NLEX eyes a third straight victory and a chance to finish at the top two heading into the playoffs.

“The main goal is to get better every day. You still have to remain sharp, despite being in the quarterfinals, twice-to-beat,” Road Warriors head coach Jong Uichico said.

The mentor wants his wards to sustain their momentum and keep their fire burning.

“We need to have sharp minds, sharp physically. Sometimes, if you clinch playoffs seat early you lose a little bit of focus,” he said.

“So, I remind them every day to keep focused and bear in mind what the real goal is.”

The Road Warriors smashed Magnolia, 107-99, last week behind Robert Bolick and rookie Xyrus Torres’ 25 and 22 points, respectively.

The Batang Pier lost eight straight games in nine outings, but Uichico is not taking them lightly.

“We will approach it like a game we should win, for another improvement in our game. We will still approach it like a bearing game, in terms of us continuing to improve,” he said.