MANILA – San Miguel Beermen is expected to go all out as they battle TNT KaTropa in the do-or-die Game 3 of the 2019 Honda PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals tonight at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The four-time defending Philippine Cup champions Beermen were put on the brink of dethronement after suffering an 88-93 defeat to the KaTropa in Game 2 on Monday evening.
Beermen center June Mar Fajardo admitted that they were disappointed not to be able to wrap up the series the other night as they expect the KaTropa to be more aggressive in the do-or-die match.
“Expect namin na hindi madali ‘yung Game Three. Sana maipanalo namin, makapag-adjust kami ng maayos,” Fajardo said. “Kailangan namin ipanalo ‘yung Game Three kasi ayaw pa namin magbakasyon.”
He added: “Kailangan namin tignan sa viewing ‘yung mali namin, mga lapses namin. Sana maganda ‘yung adjustments naming. Masakit na natalo kami. Pero okay lang ‘yun. Ganun talaga. Hindi naman madali kalaban ‘yung Talk ‘N Text.”
To show his determination to help the Beermen extend their dominance in the All-Filipino conference, Fajardo said that he will play through his hyper-extended knee and wounded forehead.
“Puwede siguro ako maglaro,” Fajardo said. “Pag talon ko, biglang may bumangga tapos na-hyperextend (knee). Okay lang sa noo. ‘Wag lang sa tuhod. Hindi problema ‘yun.”
The winner of the Beermen-KaTropa do-or-die match will battle with top-seed Phoenix Fuel Masters in a best-of-seven semifinals series starting this weekend./PN
