The San Miguel Beermen beat the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters earlier this month in a cardiac finish. Can coach Yeng Guiao’s boys respond?

Catch the game this Thursday, September 19th, at 7:30 PM, Manila time.

San Miguel Beermen (6-2)

Projected starting five:

• Jericho Cruz
• CJ Perez
• Jordan Adams
• Marcio Lassiter
• Junemar Fajardo

The Beermen come in riding a four-game winning streak. They beat the breaks off of sister team Barangay Ginebra this past Sunday, 131-82, by shooting 59.1% from the floor, including a smooth 13-of-23 on three-pointers.

All that are sure to add to their confidence for tomorrow’s rematch. The guys eked out a 113-112 win over ROS last September 5th, thanks to a buzzer-beating jumper by Junemar Fajardo. 

The eight-time PBA MVP will be alongside import Jordan Adams and CJ Perez yet again, bearing the SMB flag. Adams had 41 points on 60% shooting, while Fajardo lorded over for 27 points and 21 rebounds in that ROS meeting.

Marcio Lassiter is feeling good as the league’s new all-time three-point king, so he’ll look to remain hot from beyond the arc. He was his usual self on Sunday vs. Ginebra, blasting away six threes, half of which were in the first quarter.

Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (6-2)

Projected starting five:

• Anton Asistio
• Caelan Tiongson
• Adrian Nocum
• Aaron Fuller
• Santi Santillan

The Elasto Painters will be coming off a 123-114 win over the NLEX Road Warriors this past Tuesday. It was their highest scoring output of the conference, and it came at the right time as it may help them generate more rhythm for their quest for revenge.

The ever-hardworking Aaron Fuller controlled the boards yet again as he hauled in 25 rebounds in the win to go along 23 points against NLEX. He’s had multiple 20-plus rebound games in the Governor’s Cup, and grabbed 19 in their previous meeting vs. SMB, so no one should be shocked if he eclipses it Wednesday.

Anton Asistio was the star local for ROS on Tuesday with 25 points and five treys. Such games are sure to generate momentum, so it’ll be interesting to see what he can build from that. Jhonard Clarito, meanwhile, was sensational once more as the “hustle” guy, delivering 15 points, two threes, six boards, three steals, and one block.

Rookies Caelan Tiongson and Felix Lemetti, and mainstays Adrian Nocum, Gian Mamuyac, and Santi Santillan are taking turns being key factors. We’ll see who’ll turn up.

PICKS:

Spread: ROS (+6)

Over/Under: Over (223)