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SERVICES
THE INQUIRER COMPANY
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04
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26
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2024
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SERVICES
THE INQUIRER COMPANY
04
26
2024
San Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria makes a homecoming in his province and he hopes reprieve for his team.
Alaska Milk, meanwhile, has its own plan in going to Lucena, Quezon.
The Aces try to put the series away while the Beermen look to start a rally as they slug it out in Game Three of their Smart Bro PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven titular showdown at the Quezon Convention Center in the Quezon capital.
“Everybody loves a winner. Alaska is winning so I’m not sure kung sa side namin ang Lucena fans. But I’m sure my kababayans from Sariaya will come and cheer for us,” Austria said.
“In our situation right now, we need all the support that we can get,” said Austria whose troops are trailing, 0-2, as they set out for the Lucena match.
The Aces try to tighten the noose on the Beermen after a 100-91 victory in Game One then an 83-80 triumph in Game Two.
“Dapat huag silang bigyan pagkakataon na makabalik. Kung kayang mag-three-zero, dapat gawin namin yon,” said Alaska forward Calvin Abueva.
The rest of the Alaska team is determined to press on and march forward.
“You can’t expect to take the fight away from them until you haven’t gotten win No. 4,” said Alaska coach Alex Compton.
With or without Junmar Fajardo, the San Miguel Beermen, in deed, are raring to keep on fighting.
“The story of the conference is not yet finish. For as long as there’s still a chance to win, we’ll not lose hope. We’ll fight in whatever situation we’re in,” said Austria.
For the record, 37-of-43 is the winning record among teams who have enjoyed a 2-0 advantage in a PBA best-of-seven series. It means only six have survived being in a 0-2 hole.
And for all of San Miguel Beer’s league-best number of title hauls (21), nothing came from a fightback from a 0-2 deficit. In the previous times that the Beermen found themselves in similar situation they’re in right now, not once they survived or even forced a Game Seven.
Austria, however, insists the series is far from over.
Needless to say, Fajardo’s absence is a big handicap for the Beermen.
“We need Junmar to open up our shooters. Without him, we can’t find opening for our shooters as Alaska’s defense is extended to them,” said Austria.
“Yes, Yancy (de Ocampo) and Gabby (Espinas) can play the post. They help a lot. But they can’t fill in the dominant inside presence that Junmar provides us,” Austria also said. “Without the big man, we’re playing guards’ game.”
But then, San Miguel also faces Alaska’s competent backcourt crew including Jvee Casio, Cyrus Baguio, Chris Banchero, RJ Jazul and Dondon Hontiveros.
“Perhaps, we need a little more adjustment. And we have to keep believing that we can win without Junmar,” said Austria.
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