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| SMB superstar June Mar Fajardo. Photo: PBA Images. |
The San Miguel Beermen, proud holders of the Philippine Cup, open their title defense Wednesday night against the hungry NLEX Road Warriors at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo. Tip-off is set at 7:30 p.m.
“Mas gusto ko ng championship kaysa award,” Fajardo told reporters during his Leo Awards presser. And that mindset echoes through a San Miguel lineup that’s been the PBA’s gold standard for nearly a decade.
Head coach Leo Austria returns with his battle-tested core of CJ Perez, Chris Ross, Marcio Lassiter, Jericho Cruz, and Mo Tautuaa, the same group that steamrolled TNT Tropang 5G in last season’s All-Filipino Finals. The Beermen added fresh legs too, tapping rookies Chris Miller and Royce Mantua, both eager to prove their worth alongside legends of the game.
On the opposite bench, NLEX looks to spoil the champs’ celebration. Under the guidance of veteran tactician Jong Uichico, the Road Warriors are coming off a roller-coaster season that began with promise but ended in heartbreak, an early playoff exit despite a joint-best 8–3 elimination record in the last Philippine Cup.
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| NLEX guard Robert Bolick. Photo: Facebook. |
Robert Bolick, the team’s fiery leader, remains NLEX’s anchor and emotional engine. After nearly cracking the MVP race last season, he’s out to show he can carry this retooled squad deeper into contention. The Road Warriors also feature new faces: Javee Mocon, Xyrus Torres, Brandon Ramirez, Jonnel Policarpio, JB Bahio, and newcomer LJay Gonzales, forming one of the league’s most dynamic small-ball units.
Without much height to match up against Fajardo and the Beermen’s towering frontline, expect NLEX to counter with speed, crisp ball movement, and perimeter shooting. Their best bet? Push the pace, keep San Miguel off-balance, and knock down those open looks before the defense sets.
But as every PBA fan knows, dethroning the Beermen takes more than just hustle. With June Mar healthy, Austria calling the shots, and the Beermen’s chemistry intact, the Road Warriors face a tall, literally and figuratively, mountain to climb.
Still, opening night in the PBA always brings surprises, and NLEX would love nothing more than to make Antipolo the first stop in a giant-slaying campaign.