By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

LEAGUE-leading and defending champions San Miguel Beermen try to stay above the chasing pack in the PBA Philippine Cup when they collide today with the struggling Blackwater Elite at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

Currently on top of the standings with a 6-1 record halfway into the classification phase of the first conference of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), the Beermen shoot for their seventh win in their 4:30 p.m. game against Blackwater to create further distance from second-running teams Magnolia Hotshots and Alaska Aces, which are half a game back with 6-2 cards.

The Beermen come into the game after defeating the Hotshots, 77-76, in their battle of top teams last Sunday, a bounce-back victory after losing in their game prior.

Against Magnolia, San Miguel relied on late-game surge to hack out the victory and get it back in the winning column.

Reigning league most valuable player June Mar Fajardo bucked a slow start and asserted himself down the stretch to help his team to the victory.

The Gilas Pilipinas stalwart had a monster double-double of 19 points and 21 rebounds to go along with four blocks while Chris Ross had 15 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three steals.

Chico Lanete, playing in place of the injured Alex Cabagnot, had 14 points, including a key three-pointer during their run in the fourth period, with Marcio Lassiter and Arwind Santos combining for 23 points and 13 rebounds.

Escaping from falling two straight times, San Miguel coach Leo Austria heaved a sigh of relief following their victory over the Hotshots and expressed hope that they could start another winning streak after racking up five straight victories early in their campaign.

“Magnolia played well defensively tonight. They really came in prepared and were physical. Good thing we kept our composure and stayed focused,” Mr. Austria said.

“They were determined to beat us. This was a big win. Had we lost we would have dropped to no. 3 in the standings but since we won we are no. 1 again,” he added.

SKIDDING ELITE
Looking to catch a break, meanwhile, is Blackwater (2-5), which has seen a promising start to the conference take an about-face.

After going 2-1 in their first three games, the Elite have since lost four straight to slide to 2-5 in the tournament and considerably drop back in the race for the playoffs.

The most recent of their defeats was against Magnolia, 78-72, on Feb. 2.

Leading the way for the Leo Isaac-coached Elite is Mac Belo with 18 points a game and 6.9 rebounds and JP Erram with numbers of 12.7 points, 12 rebounds and 3.4 blocks.

Allein Maliksi is also chipping in his fair share of 13.2 points and 7.3 rebounds.

“We are not losing hope just yet. We just have to find ways to win and improve as a team,” said Mr. Belo.

Meanwhile, playing in the second game today at 7 p.m. are the NLEX Road Warriors (3-4) and Meralco Bolts (2-5).

NLEX won its last game over the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings, 81-78, while Meralco has dropped its last two matches.

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