By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

THE defending champions San Miguel Beermen, having an immaculate start so far in the PBA Philippine Cup, go for their fourth straight win when they take on the NLEX Road Warriors today in the main game at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

Getting steady performances from their starters, the Beermen have channeled the unstoppable to date and are looking to stay unscathed and solo on top of the standings with a victory over the suddenly skidding Road Warriors in their 7 p.m. encounter.

Leading the charge for San Miguel is reigning four-time Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) most valuable player June Mar Fajardo, who is averaging a team-high 23 points on top 6.67 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per ball game.

He is being aptly backed up by point guard Alex Cabagnot with averages of 20.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists while Marcio Lassiter is adding 17.7 points and five rebounds per ball game.

Arwind Santos has been good for 12.3 points and 7.3 rebounds for the Beermen and Chris Ross is solid for 10 points and eight assists.

The latest of the victories of the Beermen came over TNT KaTropa, 88-76, in Iloilo on Jan. 13 where their veteran starting five took front and center anew.

Looking to stand in the way of the Beermen and a fourth win in a row are the Road Warriors (2-2), who have lost back-to-back after opening their campaign with two straight wins.

Rookie sensation Kiefer Ravena has been showing the way for NLEX with norms of 19.3 points, 7.3 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 steals either as a starter or coming off the bench.

Veteran JR Quiñahan has been good for 15.8 points and 8.8 rebounds while Larry Fonacier is chipping in 13.5 points.

Having lost their last two assignments though, NLEX knows that it must address what currently ails the team lest it find itself wasting a good start to the season-opening tournament.

“We’re a little concerned since we lost the last two games in similar fashion. We were not rebounding the way we should. So, I think that’s something we should fix before our next game,” NLEX coach Yeng Guiao said as he shared what he felt is doing it for them of late that has stymied their ability to compete better.

Meanwhile, playing in the 4:30 p.m. opener are the Blackwater Elite (2-2) and GlobalPort Batang Pier (1-2).

Blackwater is coming off a lost just last Wednesday against TNT, 92-83, while GlobalPort is fresh from beating the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 78-70, on Jan. 12.

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