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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider SMB, NLEX eye share of early lead in Group B standings

SMB, NLEX eye share of early lead in Group B standings

Published Aug 25, 2024 03:12 am

At A Glance

  • San Miguel and NLEX eye a share of the early lead in the Group B standings when they take on their respective winless foes in the PBA Season 49 Governors' Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, Aug. 25.
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San Miguel and NLEX eye a share of the early lead in the Group B standings when they take on their respective winless foes in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, Aug. 25.

 

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The Road Warriors tangle against the Phoenix Fuel Masters in the curtain raiser at 5 p.m. before the Beermen take on the struggling Blackwater Bossing in the main event at 7:30 p.m.

Both NLEX and SMB are looking for their win No. 2 following an impressive start to their campaigns that saw their lead stars – June Mar Fajardo for the Beermen and Robert Bolick for the Road Warriors – taking the spotlight in their openers.

The Beermen are coming off a 111-107 decision over the Fuel Masters last Wednesday, Aug. 21, with no less than eight-time Most Valuable Player in Fajardo laying the red carpet to SMB’s auspicious opener.

The 6-foot-10 behemoth was in his usual dominant self, dropping 37 points and 26 rebounds although the Beermen needed a booming four-pointer from CJ Perez to put the game out of the Fuel Masters’ reach.

Both Perez and Fajardo are primed to lead the Beermen anew along with import Jordan Adams, who was also nothing short of impressive in his PBA debut with 24 points including 10 in the final frame.

While the Beermen, just by basing on their opening win, looked to be in shape for another dominant run, the same could not be said for the Bossing who remained groping for form after two losses.

Troy Rosario, sophomore James Kwekuteye and rookie Sedrick Barefield had their own share of brilliances through the first two games but just couldn’t get the winning formula with import Ricky Ledo performing way below of the expectations from him.

The former NBA player continued to misfire from the field as after finishing with 12 points in loss to Rain or Shine, didn’t perform any better the next game with six in loss to NLEX.

Meanwhile, Bolick also opened the season in style, producing a near-triple-double performance of 24 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds in the rousing 104-87 win over Blackwater.

He hopes to finally achieve the feat, along with import Myke Henry, this time around, although the Fuel Masters are certainly no pushovers after holding their ground against a title contender in SMB in the last game.

Jayveous Mckinnis is expected to lead the charge for Phoenix along with an able supporting cast that feature Tyler Tio, Javee Mocon and Ricci Rivero

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