San Miguel Beer shoots for a second straight win while Phoenix Petroleum seeks a follow-up on its upset of Barangay Ginebra the last time out as the Beermen and the Fuel Masters collide Friday in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the MOA Arena in Pasay City.
The Beermen picked up from where they left off in the previous conference and stopped the Meralco Bolts on their tracks, 99-92, Sunday night at the Big Dome.
The previous night in Davao City, the Fuel Masters overcame a series of errors entering the homestretch and pounded the Gin Kings’ own crucial lapses at the finish to carve out a 94-91 win.
Both teams will be out to get going in their 7 p.m. setto featuring an exciting matchup between imports Charles Rhodes and Jameel McKay.
Rhodes delivered 22 points on 50-percent shooting, 12 rebounds, two blocks, one assist, and one steal as he helped the Beermen to a triumphant Commissioner’s Cup debut.
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McKay, meanwhile, more than held his own against Ginebra’s Justin Brownlee and Japeth Aguilar as he finally led the Fuel Masters to a win following back-to-back lopsided losses to the Alaska Milk Aces and the Star Hotshots. Phoenix won its first game with Eugene Phelps in tow.
Both insist they’re capable of churning out better games.
Rhodes was actually not satisfied on his initial game in the local pro league.
“Unfortunately, I had kind of like a bad game. I don’t normally miss free throws,” said Rhodes, ruing his 8-of-13 foul shooting.
“And I just got in foul trouble. That was real frustrating for me, so I’ve just got to get adjusted to the style of play with the referees.”
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Local support came aplenty just as expected.
Phoenix coach Ariel Vanguardia is sure they will be dealing with that, and not just Rhodes.
“They have so many weapons, and our guys need to really step up,” said Vanguardia.
Ronald Tubid is one weapon San Miguel will be missing as the energetic gunner/slasher is to serve a two-game suspension for a flagrant foul on Meralco’s Chris Newsome.
The Fuel Masters, however, could well still have their hands full in taking on June Mar Fajardo, Arwind Santos, Marcio Lassiter, Alex Cabagnot and Chris Ross.
But at least, Phoenix has Matthew Wright who’s back in the groove in their last game.
