SMB, Alaska clash for semis seat

The Gran Matador PBA Fiesta Cup resumes today after an 11-day break, featuring San Miguel Beer and Alaska Milk in a playoff for the second outright seat in the semifinals at the Araneta Coliseum.

Game time is at 7 p.m. with the winner joining classification-round topnotcher Talk n Text in an early passage into the Final Four and the loser settling for a twice-to-beat privilege in the wildcard battles.

The only pairing remaining unsettled in the wildcard plays is the duel between the top team against tailender Coca-Cola.

Defending champion Barangay Ginebra clashes with Red Bull Barako while FedEx collides with Purefoods at the start of their respective best-of-three showdowns tomorrow at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

The Gins have reactivated Jayjay Helterbrand from the injured list and signed up free agent Marlon Basco.

Then, it’s Sta. Lucia against Shell and either San Miguel or Alaska versus Coca-Cola on Friday at the Araneta Coliseum with the Realtors and either the Beermen or the Aces – with twice-to-beat incentives – taking their first of two cracks at the quarterfinals. San Miguel has reactivated Chris Burgess, reassuming his role as the Beermen’s import as they play the Aces in today’s playoff.

"Tommy Smith is good but Chris Burgess is more fitted in our game. Smith is good at transition but how can we go into transition game when we can’t get the rebounds?" said San Miguel coach Jong Uichico.

Smith took over Burgess in San Miguel’s last game in the classification round against FedEx last May 27.

Smith scored only six points but Dorian Peña exploded for 27 as the Beermen scored a 28-point rout of the Express.

Thus, Burgess is again taking on former Chicago Bull Dickey Simpkins as the Beermen seek a third straight win over the Aces in the season-ending tourney.

San Miguel is 7-0 against Alaska in import-laced tourneys dating back to 2002.

However, the Beermen will still be minus ace gunner Danny Seigle as they try to keep their mastery of the Aces. It’s already been two weeks since Seigle suffered a third-degree sprain on his right foot. He’s been advised to rest for three weeks.

"Schedule na sana niyang sumali sa drills kanina, but we opted to extend his rest," said Uichico.