WATCH: San Miguel vs Rain or Shine [2020 Philippine Cup | October 13, 2020]

Seven months after a triumphant debut in the PBA Philippine Cup, San Miguel Beer plunges back into action, making its bubble play debut versus Rain or Shine Tuesday at the AUF Gym in Angeles City, Pampanga.

The Beermen resume their drive for an all-Filipino six-peat at 4 p.m. versus a Rain or Shine side confident they can compete for as long as they are healthy throughout the two-and-a-half-month bubble tourney.

The Elasto Painters were No. 2 in the elims in the last Philippine Cup but failed to make it past the semifinal round partly because of health woes.

“If we can stay healthy and compete, then we have a chance,” said Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia, also among those who believe the tourney is a wide-open race with San Miguel missing June Mar Fajardo.

Many are saying SMB may be vulnerable without the prized behemoth.

But even sans Fajardo, the Beermen were off to a rousing start in the tourney, drubbing the Magnolia Hotshots, 94-78, before the pandemic put everything in disarray.