Every conference, San Miguel (formerly Petron) fans have high hopes on the Beermen.
But every successful campaign in the elimination round, comes with a dismal showing in the Playoffs.
And this season, the Beermen made another change but new coach Biboy Ravanes hopes that it would finally bare fruits.
But every successful campaign in the elimination round, comes with a dismal showing in the Playoffs.
And this season, the Beermen made another change but new coach Biboy Ravanes hopes that it would finally bare fruits.
New System
A new coach, a tweaked roster, and a return to a proud name hopefully work wonders for San Miguel Beer as it kicks off its PBA Commissioner’s Cup campaign on today against Meralco at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
With former assistant coach Biboy Ravanes now calling the shots for the team formerly known as Petron, the Beermen will be counting on former New Jersey Nets mainstay Josh Boone to lead a resurgence when they clash with the Bolts at 5:45 p.m. in the first game of a double header.
Ravanes will be working alongside team consultant Todd Purves, who is expected to take an active role coaching on the sidelines.
Fajardo’s Injury
Fajardo’s Injury
San Miguel top big man June Mar Fajardo is a doubtful starter after spraining his left ankle last Sunday in practice.
The 6-foot-10 Fajardo, Best Player of the Conference in the last Philippine Cup, sat out the team’s only tune-up game Tuesday against Barako Bull which the Beermen lost, 110-114, and still skipped the Beermen’s practice on Thursday.
Fajardo is coming off career-high averages of 16.3 points, 14.8 rebounds, 2.5 blocks, and 1.5 assists in the all-Filipino conference where he has developed into a dominant inside force for the team.
Confidence On High
Confidence On High
Ravanes is confident that with a system already in place and the backing of Purves and the rest of the coaching staff, the Beermen can be dominant this conference starting with the game against the Bolts.
“Kung ano mako-contribute ko, tutulong-tulong kami saka may kanya-kanya kaming designations,” Ravanes said.
“Iyung system kasi almost the same lang. May dagdag lang na couple more of plays, pero halos pareho lang ng last two conferences,” added Ravanes, who succeeded erstwhile coach Gee Abanilla about three weeks ago.
Abanilla has since been promoted as team manager in one of the many movements the Beermen undertook during the conference break.
Solomon Mercado and Rico Maierhofer will also be debuting for the Beermen after being acquired from Globalport and Barako Bull, respectively.
— with reports from Spin.ph
