Beermen shoot for playoff berth; Hotshots hope to end slide

For San Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria, their last game against Barako Bull is a good reminder heading to their showdown with the Star Hotshots Saturday.

They faced a big scare and barely escaped past the Energy, 106-105, on a last-second heroic of Arwind Santos.

“It’s a reminder for us na talagang hindi pwedeng pa-relax-relax ang laro,” said Austria.

The SMB mentor hopes his troops to be on their toes while expecting a tough battle with the back-to-the-wall Star side in a Petron Blaze Saturday Special at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The Beermen seek to formalize playoff entry while the Hotshots virtually fight for survival in their 5:15 p.m. tussle.

With sore calf and thigh, Arwind Santos still found a way to be San Miguel’s savior in a 106-105 squeaker over Barako Bull.

In the right place at the right time, Santos picked up the loose ball on a missed jumper by Marcio Lassiter then hit the winning shot right before the buzzer as the Beermen survived the Energy’s tough stand anchored on a franchise two-year best 17 three-pointers.

“From the start, I sensed we’re in for a long night seeing the body language of our team and Barako Bull’s. Parang kampanteng-kampante kami,” Austria said. “If we came out with the same intensity that we showed against Ginebra (in our previous game), we would have no problem.”

Meanwhile, the Hotshots are likely to battle all out to avoid further slide down the chart.

At 2-5, Star is barely up on Blackwater (1-5), Mahindra (1-5) and Meralco (1-6).
Coach Jason Webb and his chargers have a lot of catching up to do now if they’re to salvage a spot in the Top Six.

After the one-round robin eliminations, the Top Two automatically make the semifinals while the next four enjoy a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals versus teams No. 7, No. 8, No. 9 and No. 10.

The last two teams take an early vacation.

In their last game, the Hotshots bowed to the Alaska Milk Aces, 102-107. Their loss was hastened by crucial boners by James Yap at the finish.

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