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June Mar Fajardo is expected for another monster game as the Beermen tackle the Meralco Bolts in Antipolo. Dennis Jerome Acosta (file photo)
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By Ricky Manliguis
MANILA--San Miguel and Meralco hope to gain a slice of the early
lead as they clash in the main game of Wednesday action of the 2018 PBA Philippine
Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Coming off a 10-day respite, the defending three-peat champs
Beermen are eager to continue its usual dominance after its 104-96 win over
Phoenix Petroleum on opening day.
The Bolts, meanwhile, had to withstand a gallant stand by
the vastly-improved Blackwater Elite before pulling off a 103-98 victory Dec. 22
at the Cuneta Astrodome.
Four-time MVP June Mar Fajardo will again spearhead the
Beermen offensive, while fellow Mythical Team members Alex Cabagnot, Chris
Ross, and Marcio Lassiter will provide added firepower along with Arwind
Santos.
Meralco will still miss the services of veterans Ranidel De
Ocampo and Cliff Hodge due to injuries but will have a new marked man in
newly-acquired KG Canaleta, as evidenced by his 25-point explosion against the
Elite.
[Related Story: Black lauds Canaleta for impressive Meralco debut]
Heady point guard Baser Amer, Chris Newsome, and Jared Dillinger
are also set for another sterling performances to back up Canaleta.
The winner of the match will tie early pacesetters NLEX Road
Warriors, which got into an early 2-0 start after a 115-104 success opposite
Global Port on Christmas Day.
[Related Story: NLEX withstands Pringle's Christmas barrage to repulse GlobalPort]
In the curtain-raiser, Phoenix and Kia Picanto square off
at 4:15 p.m. with both teams eager to bounce back from their respective losses.
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