Crunch time for Beermen

- Advertisement -

DEFENDING champion San Miguel Beer prevailed in a dogfight against Magnolia—a victory much needed by the Beermen.

SMB coach Leo Austria was understandably elated no end his troops rediscovered their winning ways after a mini two-game slide that included an 81-93 loss to the Ginebra Kings last Jan. 5.

“We were able to arrest our slide after losing our last three games (because) we never beat our opponents in the PBA and EASL, so it was a good win over Magnolia,” Austria said. “This is a big event for us or else we will slide down to the bottom four, and that’s what we don’t want to happen.

- Advertisement -

“Coming from (an EASL) game in Japan, then tonight (Sunday), then another (game on) Saturday (against Meralco). That’s what happened. But it’s not an excuse to have that kind of schedule. We just have to program ourselves, so effort and energy are necessary in these kinds of games,” he added.

Austria spoke after the Beermen downed the Hotshots 85-78 in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

The hard-earned triumph pushed SMB into the magic eight with a 4-4 mark and handed Magnolia its sixth loss in nine outings.

“It will be a good morale booster para sa amin because we’re really looking (forward) to this game,” Austria said. “I told them that this is the most crucial game for us because a loss will slide us down to the bottom four.”

Austria thanked gunners Marcio Lassiter and CJ Perez, who banged in three three-pointers in the final 1:51 that saved the Beermen from the jaws of defeat.

“Marcio, that’s what he is, a three-point shooter. That’s crucial, (hitting) a three-point shot twice and one from CJ, the killer one,” Austria said.

“But overall, hindi kami maka-basket and very poor iyong shooting percentage namin. Usually, nasa 40 to 50 kami but tonight, it’s 33. It’s a good thing we shot a lot (better) in the stretch.”

Perez anchored SMB’s attack with 23 points and 10 assists while import Jabari Narcis added 18 markers and 23 boards.

Reigning eight-time MVP June Mar Fajardo, Juami Tiongson, and Jericho Cruz also had 13, 13, and 10 points, respectively for the Beermen.

Another stern test awaits SMB when it battles Meralco on Saturday, Jan. 18, in Candon, Ilocos Sur.

Austria knows it and he is counting on the Beermen to keep their resolve.

“A lot of teams are stepping up and those teams that are usually in the bottom six are now in the top six,” he said. “Our next schedule (of games) is really tough, those are at the top of the standings.”

Author

- Advertisement -

Share post: