WATCH: San Miguel vs TNT [2020 Philippine Cup | October 16, 2020]

San Miguel is in the Clark bubble, setting out in chase of a PBA Philippine Cup six-peat with a lineup modified with the reenlistment of Louie Vigil and the acquisition of rookie free agent Daniel de Guzman.

Except for that, coach Leo Austria has got his solid core that gave the team a winning start in the all-Filipino tourney with a 94-78 triumph over Magnolia before the coronavirus pandemic halted almost everything last March.

Out are Matt Ganuelas-Rosser and Chico Lanete.

And to follow their campaign on TV at home is June Mar Fajardo who is still completing his therapy and recovery.

The oppositions hope Fajardo’s absence and the unique situation in the bubble play tilt the league balance.

But though handicapped minus their ace behemoth, the Beermen hardly looked vulnerable at least in their season debut against the Hotshots.

“They’re saying June Mar is not playing and maybe San Miguel is vulnerable. But the way they played their first game, they didn’t look as such,” said NLEX coach Yeng Guiao in his recent appearance at The Link podcast of veteran sportswriter Rey Joble.

“They’re probably a lot quicker with more balanced scoring because they don’t defend in June Mar a lot this time,” Guiao added.