NLEX coach Yeng Guiao knows the usual powerhouse teams will surely get over their early struggles in the PBA Philippine Cup.
Guiao just hopes one pre-tournament favorite in San Miguel Beer has not yet gotten its act together in time for the Beermen’s collision with the Road Warriors today at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Defending champion Ginebra aims to bounce back from a humbling loss the last time out when it battles winless Blackwater in today’s first match.
The nightcap pits an NLEX crew gunning for a second straight win and an SMB squad, like its sister team in the opener, aching to get on track.
The Road Warriors have already hurdled a talent-laden team in the Kings to the tune of a 94-75 beating last Sunday, neutralizing the former’s sorry 82-83 loss to Rain or Shine two days earlier.
“You really cannot say if what you see now is the true strength of the teams,” the seven-time PBA champion said after the Ginebra game.
“Etong (first) three to four games, dito pa lang mag-a-adjust ‘yung mga teams,” added Guiao.
This time, Guiao knows his team is sure to have its hands full against a Beermen crew bristling to bounce back after dropping an 87-93 decision to Meralco in their own season-opener.
“San Miguel is surely eager to impose its will and talent on their next opponent, which happens to be us,” Guiao said. “We’ll have a huge problem of trying to stop them from exacting vengeance on us.”
What should lessen Guiao’s concerns is the fact Terrence Romeo is sure to sit it out after suffering a hyperextended left knee in the Meralco game. Even Chris Ross, even if he does play, has yet to fully recoverfrom the sprained right ankle he suffered in the endgame of the Bolts tussle.
Those are still not enough to ease Guiao’s worries though. “Even with the absence of Terrence, SMB remains formidable,” he pointed out.
“June Mar (Fajardo) should be getting better every game and he remains a focal point in our defensive gameplan,” added Guiao.
Fajardo is bound to dish out his usual big game, one he is still trying to recover following a long layoff due to the shin fracture he suffered in February of last year.
Against Meralc,o Fajardo came off the bench and notched five points and as many rebounds, but shot just 2-of-7 from the floor in 18 minutes of action.
