COLUMN: SMB MAKING MINCEMEAT OF MAGNOLIA'S PBA-BEST DEFENSE IS SCARY

CHICAGO - Against the same team that denied it a championship two months ago, not even a lust for revenge could carry Magnolia past San Miguel.

In a rematch of the PBA Season 48 Commissioner's Cup Finals, the Beermen punctuated their mastery of the Hotshots with a 98-91 triumph on Friday night at the Araneta Coliseum.

On paper, they are corporate siblings but based on the results of their recent encounters, a paternity test  would reveal that, competition-wise, San Miguel is Magnolia's daddy.

READ SMB stays perfect as Ross, Perez treys douse Magnolia comeback

Although both teams are perennial PBA conference semifinalists, San Miguel versus Magnolia should never be construed as a rivalry.

The Beermen have currently owned the Hotshots in almost the same laughable level as the Nuggets are owning the disjointed Los Angeles Lakers.

San Miguel viewed Magnolia as another harmless barrier on the way to an undefeated Philippine Cup streak that has now stretched to 8-0.

AND THE BEERMEN DID SO WITH FABULOUS EASE.

Entering last night's duel, Magnolia led the PBA in least points allowed (88.3), rebounds (41) and field goal percentage allowed (41.2 percent).

San Miguel didn't care.

The Beermen dumped 98 points, grabbed 43 rebounds and shot 49 percent from the field including a high 16-of-34 clip from 3-point range against the boys of coach Chito Victolero, whose calling card supposedly says defensive guru.

If San Miguel can pummel the league's best defense as though it were a harmless, stationary mannequin, what chance do other teams have?

PHOTO: Jerome Ascano

More so now that June Mar Fajardo is healthy enough that he played 41 minutes and anchored the San Miguel defense, which by the way, was No.2 in the PBA in field goal percentage allowed (41.4) prior to the Magnolia tiff.

Fajardo's back-up, Mo Tautuaa, is a starter in any other PBA team. The gentle 6-foot-8 giant and the PBA's No.1 overall pick in 2015 had a workmanlike 10 points and 7 rebounds in 25 minutes.

SAN MIG'S LINE-UP IS SO BIG AND DEEP THAT VIC MANUEL HAS BECOME AN AFTERTHOUGHT.

Ross, Romeo and Perez sound like a high-end law firm servicing celebrity clients. But they're not, Chris, Terrence and C.J, respectively, are arguably the best triumvirate of guards in the league.

Together, they bludgeoned the Hotshots for a combined 46 points. Without backcourt sidekick Jio Jalaon, Mark Barroca didn't stand a chance.

Its beer is supposedly flavored by a secret malt brewed to perfection but it's no secret that San Miguel's basketball team is being blended by the often overlooked and sometimes under-appreciated genius of coach Jorge Gallent. 

Shouldn't be anymore.

Gallent, who despises attention the way a vegan abhors meat, is the best among current coaches in the PBA right now.

Yes, Tim Cone has a collection of 25 titles followed by Chot Reyes' 9.

But Gallent has done the most lately with a championship in February plus an 8-0 spurt to start this conference.

Barring any unfortunate events, this Season 48 Philippine Cup is San Miguel's to lose. 

2024-04-27T10:14:15Z dg43tfdfdgfd