Barangay Ginebra head coach Tim Cone is well aware that their claim for back-to-back titles in the PBA Commissioner's Cup would be far from easy.
The Gin Kings hurdled the first challenge to their title retention bid after ousting NorthPort in their quarterfinals bout on Friday to clinch their third straight semifinals appearance.
However, standing in their way in the next stage is the loaded and stacked San Miguel squad, and Cone is already bracing for the worst.
"We’ve tried really hard not to focus on San Miguel because we wanted to keep NorthPort right in front of us so I haven’t really done a lot of study on San Miguel yet. I do know that Bennie Boatwright is a tremendous import," Cone said on the heels of 106-93 win against the Batang Pier.
"And anytime you get a tremendous import match with June Mar [Fajardo], it’s a tough mountain to climb."
Already in Cone's mind is how to put the clamps on the one-two punch of Boatwright and Fajardo, who have been essential in the Beermen's run thus far despite playing a minimum of four games only each in the conference.
Boatwright, who came in as a replacement for initial import Ivan Aska, has been phenomenal on both ends as the 27-year-old reinforcement posted averages of 40.33 points, 13.33 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 0.67 steals, and 0.67 block to carry San Miguel back to the semis.
With Boatwright luring the defense off Fajardo, the job seems to be easier for the league's only seven-time PBA MVP.
In the past four games that he had suited up, Fajardo, who was sidelined early in the conference due to a hand injury, averaged 19.25 markers, 11.75 boards, 3.0 assists, 3.0 blocks, and 1.0 steal.
"It’s obviously a dilemma. It’s been a dilemma for every team so far, they’re like 6-0 when he’s (Boatwright) been on the team so definitely that’s something that we have to figure out," Cone added.
"Benny Boatwright is like Arwind Santos times two or times five or maybe times 10. That was what made June Mar so great during those years where he’s having Arwind Santos."
Ginebra will face San Miguel in a best-of-five semifinals.
GAME 1 - January 24, 2024 (WEDNESDAY) - SMART ARANETA COLISEUM
- 4PM - Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters vs. Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots
- 8PM - Barangay Ginebra San Miguel vs. San Miguel Beermen
GAME 2 - January 26, 2024 (FRIDAY) - MALL OF ASIA ARENA
- 4PM - San Miguel Beermen vs. Barangay Ginebra San Miguel
- 8PM - Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots vs. Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters
GAME 3 - January 28, 2024 (SUNDAY) - MALL OF ASIA ARENA
- 4PM - Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters vs. Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots
- 8PM - Barangay Ginebra San Miguel vs. San Miguel Beermen
