SMB launches Grand Slam bid sans 3 key men

June Mar Fajardo is a doubtful starter in San Miguel Beer's debut PBA Governors' Cup game because of an ankle injury. (PBA)

San Miguel Beer kicks off its quest to complete a Grand Slam when it takes on Phoenix Pulse Wednesday in the PBA Governors’ Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Beermen, dealing with injuries to June Mar Fajardo, Marcio Lassiter and Christian Standhardinger, will enter the 7 p.m. tiff fresh off their East Asia League Terrific 12 stint in Macau.

Lassiter and Fajardo were out in the entire run of the Terrific 12 event while Standhardinger sat out the fight for third with a bum knee.

San Miguel settled for fourth place but the Macau journey enabled the Beermen to size up import Dez Wells.

The San Miguel import made good impression in Macau as a prolific scorer, raising the expectations of the Beermen contending for the crown that will complete a second Triple Crown for the franchise after its earlier feat in 1989.

Phoenix, starring resident import Eugene Phelps, will play its second game in the season-ending tourney and look to rebound from a 116-123 defeat at the hands of NLEX over the weekend also at the Big Dome. It is also handicapped by the continued suspension of Calvin Abueva.

Against the Road Warriors, the Fuel Masters set the pace most of the first half before being torched by the opponents’ torrid shooting in the last two quarters.

The Road Warriors used their three-point shooting as primary weapon, making 20 of their 42 attempts. The number of triples converted matched the second all-time high for the NLEX franchise.

Phoenix, meanwhile, was good for only 10-of-27 clip, with Matthew Wright making four to highlight a 24-point outing.

Phelps was his usual self, delivering 38 points and 10 rebounds.