source: gmanewsPilipinas-Smart Gilas goes up against another giant ball club in San Miguel as it stakes its unbeaten streak in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Saturday at The Arena in San Juan.
The Nationals have been receiving a lot of lauds following their impressive 3-0 start in the import-laden tournament for a share of the early lead with Rain or Shine.
Going into the lone 6 p.m. match that caps a day-long basketball schedule at the same playing venue in San Juan following the inaugural games of the PBA Developmental League in the afternoon, the Nationals face a third powerhouse team in the Beermen.
Pilipinas-Smart Gilas has already defeated two powerhouse teams in Philippine Cup champion Talk `N Text (103-98) and Fiesta Cup titlist Alaska (91-89, OT).
Although coming off a 102-99 win over the Air21 Express the last time out, Gilas coach Rajko Toroman is not looking past the Beermen, loser of two of their first three outings so far.
“San Miguel is one of the top teams in the PBA. We have so much respect for that team," said the former coach of the Iran national team. “They play good defense and they have the best players in the league. So we know it will be an exciting game."
San Miguel unveiled a new import in Danny Young in the team’s mano-a-mano with the Alaska Aces last Wednesday. Young finished with 35 points, exploding for 24 in the second half.
But he failed to nail the potential game-winning shot at the buzzer, his long three-point shot hitting the back of the rim hard and bouncing out.
Still, the tough loss doesn’t make the Beermen any less dangerous in Toroman's eyes.
“It will be a test of character, it will test the players," said the national mentor of his team’s first match-up with the Beermen.
San Miguel coach Ato Agustin acknowledges the Nationals have been playing as a cohesive unit, with 6-foot-11 naturalization candidate Marcus Douthit appearing to be a big threat in the middle for the Beermen.
Douthit averages 23 points and 21 rebounds in three games for Smart Gilas.
“They are playing well right now, so we have to match their intensity," said Agustin.
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