Games today:
(Philsports Arena)
5 p.m. — Terrafirma vs Rain or Shine
7:30 p.m. — Eastern vs San Miguel
Brimming with confidence after striking a winning roll, defending champion San Miguel Beer looks to add Hong Kong Eastern to its growing list of victims in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup today at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
The rejuvenated Beermen have won their last two games since the return of decorated coach Leo Austria and are now eyeing a third straight when they charge back into action at 7:30 p.m.
Meanwhile, Rain or Shine and Terrafirma tangle at 5 p.m. in the curtain-raiser of the league’s penultimate playdate for 2024.
Austria’s return and the arrival of substitute import Toren Jones have brought wonders to San Miguel, which had a shaky 1-2 start. The Beermen seek to improve their 3-2 win-loss record heading into the holiday break.
Jones, who replaced Quincy Miller, has been piling up impressive numbers in his first two games including a 29-point, 14-rebound outing in San Miguel’s 115-102 drubbing of Blackwater last week.
However, Jones will be replaced by Jabari Narcis for the rematch against Eastern following their East Asia Super League encounter last Wednesday.
He and June Mar Fajardo, who averaged 24 points and 20.5 rebounds in the Beermen’s last two games, will spearhead the squad’s charge against the rebound-seeking Eastern.
San Miguel is extra motivated to go up against the visiting team following its loss to Eastern, 61-72, in the EASL in Hong Kong where Jones suffered a bloodied nose after getting hit by a wayward elbow by Chris McLaughlin.
“There’s a lot of pride (at stake). We should be ready and prepared against them. Our fans expect a lot from us and we cannot rest,” Austria said.
On the other hand, Eastern try to get back on the winning track after suffering a 113-120 defeat at the hands of league-leading NorthPort last Friday.