IMAGINE this scenario: San Miguel Beer players, the coaching staff, and management went home crestfallen after missing the playoffs of the last conference and perhaps drank cans of beer while pondering what went wrong.
After that painful exit for the proud franchise, the Beermen regrouped and, with some fine-tuning to their overall play, they are now back to a familiar place—the top seed in the quarterfinals.
“To be the No. 1 seed is not our goal. Just to get into the top four and gain a twice-to-beat advantage. Our early exit last conference is a motivation for us. It’s a disappointing conference for us because in the last decade, we have never been out of the playoffs,” SMB coach Leo Austria said. “I think that’s one thing na nailagay sa mindset ng mga player na we cannot afford not getting into the playoffs.
“So luckily, iyong program namin is to get into the top four. Suwerte kami and nagkaroon kami ng chance to get the top seed at the end of the eliminations,” he added.
Austria’s wards made short work of the also-ran NorthPort Batang Pier 126-91 over the weekend to emerge as No. 1 in the Last Eight battle of the PBA Philippine Cup.
The nine-time champion strategist—all with the Beermen—pointed to the team’s renewed commitment to play defense top complaint their already vaunted offense as one of the keys in finishing the eliminations with an 8-3 card rewarded with a win-once incentive.
“Credit to the players because at the start of the conference, they worked really hard, especially on defense. We have to be consistent on our defense and it’s very evident naman compared to the last season,” Austria said.
“So, it’s a different team in terms of defense. Last time, last conference, hindi kami nakakasama sa top five, top six, on offense and defense. I think if you will take a look at the stats, medyo kasama kami sa top six lagi and in every department.”
SMB will tangle with its All-Filipino finals tormentor last season in Meralco on Friday, June 20, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.
A knockout match, if needed, will be played on Sunday, June 22, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
That explains why star guard CJ Perez is treating their early Big Dance rematch with the Bolts with guarded optimism.
“Top seed kami ngayon. Pero it doesn’t matter kasi lahat ng teams sobrang nag-improve talaga and last conference nga, hindi sanay ang San Miguel na wala sa playoffs and lahat kami disappointed sa sarili namin, lalong-lalong na iyong management sa amin,” he said. “So, iyon, ang ginawa namin ngayon is to focus sa top four and dahan-dahanin namin iyong playoffs until finals sana.”
Or else they will endure a heartbreak anew.
