SAN Miguel Beer’s redemption drive in the conference it used to rule with an iron hand in the past got a big shot in the arm after the Beermen rolled to their second straight victory—an emphatic 128-89 dismantling of the floundering Terrafirma Dyip last Sunday.
Add to that a relatively light schedule where SMB sees action once a week and the Leo Austria-mentored Beermen are looking good with a 5-2 mark to stay on track for a top-four finish that will be rewarded with a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals—halfway through the eliminations of the season-ending meet.
“I don’t know if it is an advantage or a disadvantage for us. But in the last few weeks, I think four weeks na once a week kami naglalaro, and we won three out of four. Hopefully, iyong long break ay magamit namin,” Austria said. “To think what will happen in the playoffs, we’re gearing up for the playoffs, every game we’re treating as a playoff na for us to get into the next level.
“Every team is stepping up and then in the playoffs, it will be hard. Although we’re not yet there, our goal is to get into the top four,” he added.
Against the Terrafirma, Austria was elated no end his troops never let up.
“We cannot do less than our best, despite that kind of margin. But I’m so happy with the players. They responded well and they just played,” Austria said. “They never mind who’s leading. What I told them is just keep on playing and just keep on executing our offense and defense. It’s a habit for us.”
Typifying the Beermen’s relentless mindset in their lopsided triumph over the Dyip was backup big man Rodney Brondial, who turned in a monster performance of 16 points and a career-high 22 rebounds.
“Importante siyempre. Ako naman kung ano lang iyong maibibigay ko, especially mga intangibles, basta makatulong lang sa team. So, hindi naman ako conscious doon sa points,” Brondial, who played for Austria at Adamson University in the UAAP, said. “Ever since naman iyong rebounds talaga ang focus ko at depensa. So, ito nagkataon lang iyong 16 points talaga. Hindi ko alam, mas binibilang ko pa nga iyong rebounds ko.
“Lalo ngayon, syempre All-Filipino. Ito siyempre ang pagkakataon natin na maglaro. Kasi kapag may import, nasa mundo na naman tayo ng mga halimaw. So, kaya sinusulit ko lang muna. Kasi kapag may import, pa-joke time, joke time naman tayo.”
The question now is whether SMB can sustain its charge when it tackles Blackwater on Sunday, May 25, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
