THE San Miguel Beer-Rain or Shine initial face-off begs for an encore.
It was a classic with the Beermen just squeaking past the Elasto Painters on a buzzer-beater from June Mar Fajardo.
Now comes the SMB-ROS rematch with no less than the solo lead in Group B play at stake - and possibly the top seeding from the group in the PBA Governors' Cup crossover quarterfinals.
The Beermen and the Elasto Painters are deadlocked at 6-2 going to their 7:30 p.m. tiff at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Having sealed their entry into the playoffs, both sides are now in chase of pole spot and keeping momentum going into the post-elims play.
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San Miguel is a raging bull, having won its last four games, including a ghastly 131-82 rout of Barangay Ginebra marked by Marcio Lassiter's ascent to the top of the league's all-time three-points ladder.
Coach Jorge Gallent said Lassiter hitting the milestone is a monkey off their back, and they can now all focus on their bigger goal in the tourney - no doubt, to get to the finals and win the crown.
The Elasto Painters, meanwhile, got back on the winning track and in the running for top spot following a 123-114 decision over the NLEX Road Warriors Tuesday also at NAS.
"Most important thing tonight was gusto naming maka-six wins para makapasok sa quarterfinals," said coach Yeng Guiao in the post-game presser.
"We wanted to just try to win the game, overtime man yan, one point, 20 points. Importante manalo kami para maka-look forward sa playoffs. We accomplished it tonight," Guiao added.
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Both the Beermen and the E-Painters try to build some more as they fight for win No. 7 in their rematch.
It could be a good test for both as far as preparation for the playoffs is concerned.
SMB's win in their initial dispute was hardly convincing as the Beermen barely escaped on Fajardo's buzzer-beater, 113-112.
"Tsamba na lang yon," said Fajardo shortly after.
The rematch is surely a must-see. (SB)
