San Miguel goes for sweep vs ROS

San Miguel wants to put its best foot forward and leave nothing to chance as it tries to go for a sweep against Rain or Shine in Game 4 of their best-of-seven semifinals series in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena on Friday, May 24.

The Beermen hope to bring out the broom and close out the series against the Elasto Painters in the 7:30 p.m. clash to formalize their return to the finals and defend their title.

Setting up the stage to what is anticipated to be a thrilling match is the equally entertaining showdown between Meralco and Barangay Ginebra in the first offering at 4:30 p.m.

The Bolts are looking to shove the Kings into the ropes with a victory that would hike their series advantage to 3-1.

Overconfidence and complacency are the last thing San Miguel head coach Jorge Gallent wants to see from his wards as they expect Rain or Shine to come out swinging in Game 4 to live to fight for another day.

“We just have to be motivated for Game 4. We really have to bring the energy and then we really have to step on the gas especially during Game 4 because I'm sure Rain or Shine will come out smoking,” said Gallent.

“We just have to match that and do the things we've been doing then I think we're going to be okay,” he added.

The Beermen bared their depth in the 117-107 Game 3 win with CJ Perez, Marcio Lassiter and Don Trollano picking up the slack from the rare off night from main man June Mar Fajardo. All of them scored at least 20 points and further put the ROS defense on its toes coming into Game 4.

Aside from avoiding a sweep, the Elasto Painters should remain motivated coming into the Game 4 especially after head coach Yeng Guiao figured in a verbal exchange with SMB guard Terrence Romeo over a late triple when the game was already done and settled.

ROS deemed the move very disrespectful and should fire them up to finally end a record of futility against SMB, which, after the Wednesday win, has now beaten the Elasto Painters for the 10th straight time.

Meanwhile in the first game, the Bolts are hoping to ride the momentum of its 87-80 win over the Kings.

Meralco led by as many as 17 points in the contest before Ginebra's shocktroopers made a late run that put the final score a bit more respectable. The desperate rally toward the end, however, could carry over to Game 4 for the Kings especially as they are now fighting to avoid falling into a 1-3 hole.

The Kings, however, are clueless of what hit them in the crucial Game 3 loss as they were completely shut down by the Bolts defense.