SMB takes second shot at semis passage

MANILA, Philippines — The Converge FiberXers will be an emboldened lot following their epic Game 3 steal. The San Miguel Beermen will be like an awakened dragon.

With fierce determination, the upset-conscious underdogs and favored heavyweights duke it out again tonight in Game 4 of the PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinal series at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The FiberXers hope momentum is now on their side after fighting back from 25 points down to wrest a gritty 114-112 series-extending victory from SMB last Monday.

In between the third and fourth matches, the Beermen absorbed an 81-87 loss to Korea club Suwon KT Sonicboom in the East Asia Super League opener last Wednesday, giving them a double-whammy heading to the 7:30 p.m. tiff with Converge.

“It’s still far,” cautioned Converge coach Franco Atienza amid the euphoria of stopping SMB’s sweep bid in the best-of-five contest and posting the franchise’s first victory in the PBA playoffs ever.

“Isa pa lang ito. It’s one of the three (wins needed to win the series). It’s hard to beat that team three straight. But we will take it one game muna,” he added.