San Miguel Beer, while still awaiting the return of June Mar Fajardo, seeks a third straight victory and win No. 5 overall as it tangles with back-to-the-wall NorthPort in the PBA Governors Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome Wednesday.
The Beermen, back in form in their last two games against the Phoenix Fuel Masters and the TNT KaTropa Texters, are raring to get going, eyeing a win that will ensure the team of at least playoff crack at the last quarterfinals berth.
The Batang Pier, meanwhile, play the first of their last two games that they need to sweep for a possible shot at the playoffs.
Mathematically, NorthPort, at 2-7, still has a chance but the Batang Pier have no longer full control of their fate. A win each by at least three among San Miguel, TNT, NLEX and Meralco dashes NorthPort's hopes.
The Beermen and the Batang Pier clash at 7 p.m. in this Wednesday bill kicking off the final two weeks of the elimination play in the season-ending tourney.
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Coach Leo Austria and his troops hope to stoke the first of their back-to-back wins over the Fuel Masters (117-100) and the Texters (107-96).
"Maganda ang inilalaro namin kahit wala pa si June Mar. We have a good chance," said Austria.
At 4-4, the Beermen actually still has an outside chance to finish in the Top Four.
But Austria insists they will take it one game at a time. Their immediate goal is to get past the Batang Pier, before minding their last two games against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and the Meralco Bolts.
And though Fajardo is now raring to plunge back into action, Austria said they would not take a risk.
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"There's no exact date on June Mar's return but we're hoping he can play once we get into the playoffs," said Austria.
Christian Standhardinger is manning the slot well in Fajardo's absence.
The Fil-German center/forward collected 21 points, 13 rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal in a tough stand versus TNT import Marqus Blakely who had 26 markers, 18 boards and eight dish-offs.
Standhardinger averages 25.8 points, 11.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists in the tourney. (SB)
