B-MEG tackles dangerous Petron, looking to firm up hold of lead

Almost everybody is saying the PBA Philippine Cup format is like a sprint. B-Meg coach Tim Cone was actually the first one who said it and his team is going just that so far.

And with his team having got off the starting block well, Cone says the next important step is to pick up the pace and sustain the momentum.


That should be the Llamados’ mindset in taking on the Petron Blaze Boosters at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City.

Cone says they can’t be really satisfied, having barely beaten both Meralco and Barako Bull.

But the multi-titled American bench tactician does believe those wins can well serve them in good stead.

"Our next two games are against Petron Blaze and Talk ‘N Text. Had we split our first two games, imagine the pressure on us going into those games,” said Cone.

"This (2-0 win-loss card) takes a little pressure off us and sets us up in our last five games if we can split the next two," Cone added.

Needless to say, the Boosters now face tremendous pressure, having lost their first two games to the Barangay Ginebra Kings and the Meralco Bolts.

Petron Blaze head coach Ato Agustin and his chargers must get their act together quickly or face the specter of missing the playoffs, for the second Commissioner’s Cup in a row.

Tournament format calls for the 10 teams to play only nine games each in the eliminations with just six advancing to the playoffs.

Narrowly beaten by the Kings on Feb. 12, the Boosters played worse, not better, in their next game against the Bolts three nights later. Meralco pounced on Petron’s lethargicgame for a 105-83 rout.

Arwind Santos, the stats leader after the PBA Philippine Cup, was a non-factor in their last game, making only two points – his lowest output in a game since limited to the same score in the last Commissioner’s Cup.

Santos avoided going scoreless in draining in his lone basket with only four minutes left to play.

“Dahil may import, na-slide down ako sa No. 3 position. Admittedly, hindi ako gaano kumportable doon,” said Santos.

Stats-wise, Petron import Nick Fazekas has done well. He logged 37 points and 18 rebounds versus Ginebra and 33 markers and 17 boards against Meralco.

Cone believes their import Denzel Bowles is up for an acid test versus Fazekas, and he must learn how to pace himself and use his fouls.

Bowles played limited minutes after getting to foul trouble early versus Barako Bull.

"You can see Denzel is a dominant guy when he's on floor. He's too valuable and he needs to stay on the floor,” said Cone. (SB)

source: www.pba.ph