A team playing a short rotation, San Miguel Beer certainly enjoyed added boost on the extra rest got on the postponement of the last two play dates of the PBA Commissioner's Cup Final Four due to heavy rains.
June Mar Fajardo and the other SMB core players should have more energy as they seek a three-game sweep of Alaska Milk at the resumption of their best-of-five semi-final showdown Friday night at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo.
Alaska is now like a beleaguered fighter pinned on the ropes, and San Miguel looks poised to deliver the finishing flurry.
"We'll try to finish it in three straight games. But for sure, it won't be easy. There's no easy game in playoffs," said Fajardo.
Fajardo, Renaldo Balkman, Alex Cabagnot, Chris Ross, Marcio Lassiter and Arwind Santos are six players playing heavy minutes for coach Leo Austria.
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Kelly Nabong, Christian Standhardinger and Brian Heruela were three others tapped to play in their 92-79 victory in Game One. In their succeeding 105-94 win, only Nabong and Standhardinger joined Santos in relieving the starters.
"Admittedly, there's an advantage but also disadvantage on the postponement of the Wednesday game. An advantage for us is getting our players ready for another game with a lot of running. That's their game; they press a lot," said Austria.
But the SMB coach said Alaska also benefited from the break.
"In a series where you play every other day, it's hard to think of your game plan coming from a loss. And they themselves recharged from the two extra days of rest. They were also tired as they pressed hard with their trapping," said Austria.
"They're able to recharge and recuperate. I think (Diamon) Simpson got hurt in Game Two because he asked to be subbed at end game then they applied ice on his foot. I'm sure he's recovered from that now," Austria also said.
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But Austria said he's addressed all these in a talk with his players yesterday.
"They're relaxed. They know what to do," said Austria of his players' body language going to Game Three where they will try to finish the Aces off.
The Beermen will be out to further stretch their domination of the Aces.
In their two previous playoff matchups, San Miguel emerged victorious via sweeps. SMB swept past Alaska, 4-0, in their 2015 Governors Cup Finals then scored a reversed sweep in their epic fightback from 0-3 down in the succeeding Philippine Cup title playoff.
Alaska needs to beat San Miguel three in a row to salvage the series.
A big question, though, is whether the Aces can pull even one with their underdog and undermanned line-up.
Another win for the SMB would be another crucial step towards winning a possible second jewel to a possible grand slam season.(SB)
