WILL the San Miguel Beermen sweet streak end on Sunday?
Absorbing a Meralco mutilation on Friday, the Beermen will try to squeeze what’s left of the juice from their twice-to-beat bonus in a winner-take-all duel for a semifinal seat.
Judging by their last game, the Beermen were pathetic. Their offense was as dull as an unsharpened fruit knife, their defense as vulnerable as an economy in recession.
In contrast, the Bolts were near-flawless and never got a single scare, except in the waning minutes when the Beermen moved to within 67-71 from a high-deficit of 16 points.
But after Rey Hugnatan jumped and Aaron Black tripled for the third time with 1:57 left — both shots fired practically unchallenged — Meralco easily parlayed that nine-point, 76-67 lead into a rousing 78-69 victory.
Always, June Mar Fajardo comes to mind whenever SMB is in deep trouble — as it is now.
With no pillar like the still injured 6-foot-10 Fajardo to lean on, the Beermen aren’t just clutching on straws but on noodles as limp as ramen since the PBA “bubble” began on Oct. 11.
And with a lineup littered now with never-heard names like Russel Escoto, Riego Gamalinda, Daniel de Guzman, Wendell Comboy and Gelo Alolino, the Beermen’s best bet for survival is for Lady Luck to smile at them — again.
Two scenarios then: win to keep the Beermen’s winning streak intact, or lose to hand Meralco the luxury of ending SMB’s All-Filipino victories at five?
Your guess is as good as mine.
I woke up on Saturday to the 2:09-a.m. alarm of my clock for the Masters, only to see the second round halted some three hours later due to darkness.
The early rise was for me to chiefly watch Tiger Woods play his Round 2.
The play stoppage stranded Woods at No. 11 of Augusta National in Augusta, Georgia, waving a 4-under-par.
Barring unforeseen events, he was expected to resume his round at 8:30 Saturday night (PH time)
With Woods’ bogey-free Round One 68, he appeared ready to defend his crown. And with seven holes left to complete his Round Two (two bogeys/two birdies thus far), Woods, looking sharp again, might find himself contending going to the weekend.
The “Woods Watch” will never wane.