Alaska Milk is now a team that is like a beleaguered fighter pinned on the ropes, and San Miguel Beer looks poised to deliver the finishing flurry.
"Try namin tapusin na, para makapagpahinga kami," said San Miguel Beer prized behemoth June Mar Fajardo ahead of Game Three of their PBA Commissioner's Cup best-of-five semifinal showdown with Alaska Milk at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday.
Two-zero up and all pumped up, the Beermen seek a three-game sweep of the Aces to have some breather for a possible championship duel with the Barangay Ginebra Kings or the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
Game Three tipoff is at 7 p.m. with the Beermen out to further stretch their domination of the Aces.
In their two previous playoff matchups, San Miguel emerged victorious via sweeps.
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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.
San Miguel pulled off a wire-to-wire 92-79 victory in Game One then rose from the depth of a 16-point deficit to hack out a 105-94 triumph in Game Two.
Another win Wednesday would be another crucial step for the Beermen towards winning a possible second jewel to a possible grand slam season.
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Fajardo insisted they would do their best to finish the series as early as possible to get some rest before the championship grind.
"Sana (sweep). Pero for sure, hindi ganun kadali 'yung next game kasi nga kailangan nila manalo," said Fajardo. "Siyempre mahirap. Walang madali kasi playoffs na. Kailangan namin maging ready. Hindi kami puwede mag-relax."
"We also have to stay focused," Fajardo also said, ruing an explosion of his emotion where he's called a technical foul in the second quarter in Game Two.
"Nawala ako sa focus, buti tinulungan ako ng mga teammates ko maka-recover," said the four-time MVP winner, who is in the running for yet another Best Player of the Conference award. "Sorry, nanggigil ako."
As he regained his bearing, Fajardo came through with a huge double-double game with 21 points and 18 rebounds as he tore apart the defense of the helpless Sonny Thoss.
Alaska coach Alex Compton was, nonetheless, proud of what they put up minus key players Chris Banchero and Calvin Abueva.
And Compton is sure they will fight hard to the finish.
"I've said this before, we just can't play okay and win against this tough San Miguel team. We can play pretty well and still lose. And I think, we played pretty well for long stretches. It's something to build on," said Compton.
"I'll go to battle with these guys any day. They play hard. They give you a chance. I asked them to play with passion, and they played with passion," Compton also said.(SB)
