The San Miguel Beermen will look to keep the good times rolling when they take on the shaky TNT Tropang Giga in a high-profile showdown of traditional PBA powerhouses this Sunday in the Pilgrimage Capital of the Philippines..

Catch this game live on Sunday,  March 17 at 6:15 pm, Manila time.

San Miguel Beermen (1-0)

Projected Starting Five:

• Chris Ross
• Marcio Lassiter
• Jeron Teng
• Rodney Brondial
• June Mar Fajardo

The Beermen stayed hot despite a long break following their championship run in the recently concluded PBA Commissioner’s Cup, as they defeated the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters on Friday, 109.97. San Miguel took down the Elasto Painters with Junemar Fajardo coming off the bench.

The seven-time PBA Most Valuable Player is still rounding into form after suffering a calf injury late in the Commissioner’s Cup Finals against the Magnolia Hotshots, but he still managed to put up 15 points and 10 rebounds in the Rain or Shine game. He should be fine against TNT, which will also have to be worried by San Miguel’s depth. Against Rain or Shine, the Beermen had Terrence Romeo and Jericho also coming off the bench and firing 33 combined points.  The Beermen have won in four of the last five meetings with TNTN, dating back to the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup.

TNT Tropang Giga (2-1)

Projected Starting Five:

• Brian Heruela
• Glenn Khobuntin
• Calvin Oftana
• Kim Aurin
• Brandon Rosser

The Tropang Giga recovered from an upset 87-76 loss to the Blackwater Bossing on Mar. 2 by avoiding another defeat to an underdog, as they thumped the Terrafirma Dyip last Wednesday, 100-97. TNT is looking wobbly in the conference thus far, but it’s still a formidable team stacked with great talents. Among them, of course, is veteran Jayson Castro, who still clearly has it. The all-time great scored 23 points on 7/12 shooting from the field with five 3-pointers versus the Dyip. 

Speaking of which, outside shooting has been a strength of TNT, as it is second in the league with a 35.9 3FG%.

But the main for the Tropang Giga remains Calvin Oftana, who is leading the team through three games with an average of 21.0 points along with 9.3 rebounds. Brandon Rosser is another player TNT is hoping to see play a big role this Sunday, especially in trying to slow down Fajardo.

PREDICTION:

Spread: San Miguel (-6.0) covers the spread.

Over/Under: The total (204.5) hits the Under.