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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider SMB looks to avoid 0-2 start vs Converge

SMB looks to avoid 0-2 start vs Converge

Published Mar 24, 2026 02:17 pm

At A Glance

  • The perennial contenders seeking for breakthrough get the chance to test the mettle of emerging teams as San Miguel locks horns with Converge in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner's Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo on Wednesday, March 25.

The perennial contenders seeking for breakthrough get the chance to test the mettle of emerging teams as San Miguel locks horns with Converge in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner's Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo on Wednesday, March 25.

The Beermen, who opened their campaign on the wrong foot, try to barge into the win column against the FiberXers, who are still groping for form and chemistry in the main event at 7:30 p.m.

Providing a fitting appetizer is the clash between surprise leaders Terrafirma and Phoenix in the curtain raiser at 5:15 p.m.

San Miguel got off to a slow start in the midseason conference, dropping a 112-119 decision against Titan Ultra. 

June Mar Fajardo was on his usual dominant form even with the presence of imports with 15 points and 17 rebounds while CJ Perez led the way with 27 points.

But curiously missing in action was import Marcus Lee, who had a horrendous PBA debut of four points, five rebounds and three steals as he was easily outplayed by Giant Risers import Michael Gilmore, had 28 points and 13 rebounds.

SMB is hoping to avoid a 0-2 start in the conference.

Against Converge, however, Lee will be up against a more prolific talent in former NBA player Kylor Kelly. More than that, Converge also seemed to boast talent capable of holding its own against the Beermen. 

Juan Gomez de Liano, Alec Stockton, Mikey Williams, Justin Arana and Justine Baltazar are all proven players though still searching for ways to play as a team, something that head coach Dennis ‘Delta’ Pineda admitted is still a work in progress.

Meanwhile in the opening game, the Dyip are hoping to tie their franchise best start when they take on the Fuel Masters, who like them, had a surprising 2-1 start even after undergoing some rebuilding under new head coach Charles Tiu.

Terrafirma, however, is a completely different team from how it looked in the last few years with import Ali Mubashar along with local stars Paolo Hernandez and Jerrick Ahanmisi leading the charge.

But like the Dyip, the Fuel Masters have a prolific import in James Dickey III with an able supporting cast in the likes of Ken Tuffin, Ricci Rivero and Evan Nelle.

Related Tags

San Miguel Beermen Converge FiberXers PBA June Mar Fajardo
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