MANILA, Philippines — Phoenix and San Miguel Beer shoot for important victories against their respective opponents as they look to secure their playoff spots in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup on Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Fuel Masters, buoyed up by their 100-97 overtime win against Bol Bol and TNT last week on guard Tyler Tio’s game-winning three, face the Macau Black Knights at 5:15 p.m.
On the other hand, San Miguel Beer faces Terrafirma at 7:30 p.m. in what can be billed as a win or go home setup.
Phoenix coach Charles Tiu isn’t taking any chances against Macau, which is already out of playoff contention.
The foreign guest squad has its own internal concerns when Damian Chonqui walked out during the fourth quarter of the Black Knights’ 102-84 loss to the Dyip.
Even with that situation, Tiu knows the Fuel Masters will have to take care of business as they aim for their seventh win in 11 games and assure of a spot in the top 8.
“We have to take care of business,” said Tiu shortly after Phoenix’s giant upset of TNT. “I think if we beat Macau on Wednesday, we’ll be in for sure and… if that happens then, hopefully we can pull off the upset against San Miguel (in their last game in the elims) again and maybe fight for a twice-to-beat.” Former PBA Best Import Jonathan Williams is expected to have a much better performance since debuting with 22 points, 15 rebounds and six assists against the Tropang 5G.
Williams came in a late replacement for injured import James Dickey.
Athletic guard Ricci Rivero will be sitting this game out though after hurting his left hand late in the game against TNT.
Meanwhile, SMB hopes to come out with guns blazing against Terrafirma.
At 5-5, the Beermen remain in danger of missing the playoff bus.
The Dyip sport a 4-6 record, and beating the Beermen will put them in a good position to potentially sneak in at the top 8 if ever.
Bennie Boatwright also hopes to redeem himself after scoring just 16 points on 5-of-20 shooting overall, while missing all six of his attempts from beyond the arc in SMB’s 103-92 win against Meralco.
