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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider SMB looks to tighten hold on second spot, battles Macau

SMB looks to tighten hold on second spot, battles Macau

Published Aug 7, 2026 03:07 pm

At A Glance

  • San Miguel is looking to tighten its grip on the second spot in the Group A standings when it tangles against Macau in the PBA Season 50 Governors' Cup at the Ynares Center in Montalban on Saturday, Aug. 8.

San Miguel is looking to tighten its grip on the second spot in the Group A standings when it tangles against Macau in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup at the Ynares Center in Montalban on Saturday, Aug. 8.

With the Beermen comfortably sitting at the second spot with a 5-2 record, head coach Leo Austria is guarding his team against complacency ahead of their 7:30 p.m. clash with the Giant Pandas.

The champion mentor stressed that Macau isn’t a pushover team even with its 2-5 record and the game is just as important as their other matches against top teams NLEX and TNT especially in their bid of securing a spot in the playoffs.

“We need to win these three games for us before the break,” said Austria, highlighting the importance of the contest which will come after the first offering — a showdown between TNT and Titan Ultra at 5:15 p.m.

Although coming off a rousing 126-114 win over Converge, Austria sees the need for a little more fine-tuning for the Beermen.

“We need to improve in terms of chemistry, to know each other. Because the team in the other bracket is really playing well. You don't know yet who you will be your opponent in the next round,” said the veteran coach.

“Against Macau, we cannot discount them. Because every team, every time we play, any other team, they are all prepared,” he added.

George King, of course, will be at the center of the attack for the Beermen especially after erupting for conference-high 46 points against the FiberXers. 

SMB also still has the likes of June Mar Fajardo, Jerrick Ahanmisi, Don Trollano and Jericho Cruz all proven capable of exploding at any given night.

Leading the charge for the Giant Pandas are Devondre Perry, Jenning Leung and Damian Chongqui as the team aims to get back on the winning track after their two-game winning run was stopped by a 128-132 loss to the Giant Risers.

Related Tags

San Miguel Beermen Macau Giant Pandas PBA Governors\' Cup PBA Leo Austria
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