by Jonas Terrado
Everyone is expected to give their 100 percent effort as the two remaining semifinal berths in the PBA Philippine Cup will be disputed via do-or-die matches at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Defending champion San Miguel Beer and TNT KaTropa slug it out in the 4:30 p.m. opener before Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and Magnolia dispute the other semis berth at 7 p.m.
Awaiting in the best-of-7 series are Phoenix Pulse and Rain or Shine, two teams which made short work of their respective quarterfinal foes.
June Mar Fajardo of San Miguel Beer guarded by Yousif Taha of TnT KaTropa. (PBA Images)
TNT and Magnolia forced a Game 3 after preventing a sweep of their best-of-three affairs last Monday at the Big Dome.
The KaTropa overcame the Beermen’s late comeback for a 93-88 win while the Hotshots stunned Ginebra with a second half blitzkrieg, 106-77.
Ginebra’s Greg Slaughter provided an insight on what to expect from the two survival matches.
“I expect a 100 percent effort and for everyone’s A-game to come out,” Slaughter said.
Slaughter and Ginebra are hoping that they can outlast a Magnolia side that leaned on a fast start and a strong defensive effort last Monday.
Jio Jalalon and Mark Barroca responded from a disappointing Game 1 to keep Magnolia’s campaign alive.
Ginebra coach Tim Cone is banking on Slaughter, Japeth Aguilar, LA Tenorio and Scottie Thompson to deliver in front of an expected big crowd.
Meanwhile, defense could dictate the outcome of the San Miguel-TNT clash.
San Miguel coach Leo Austria admitted TNT’s stingy defense has made it difficult for his team in the series.
The health of Beermen center and Best Player of the Conference frontrunner June Mar Fajardo will be a major concern after he suffered a bruised left knee in Game 2.