Air21 coach Franz Pumaren vividly remembers the first time he met the 6-foot-4 forward Sean Anthony.
“I think about a year ago, we met in a function,” Pumaren recalls. “He was still with Barako then and I asked him if he wants to play for us if there’s an opportunity that I can get him. And the first thing he mentioned was, ‘Yeah, I’d love to play for Air21.’ He liked what we’re doing.”
That seemed to be a fruitful meeting as a year after, the Fil-Canadian powered the Express to their first semifinals appearance after averaging career-best 21.5 points, 9.5 boards, and 2.5 steals in the quarterfinals, where Air21 shocked twice-to-beat second-seed San Miguel Beer.
But Anthony didn’t stop there. He continues to carry the load for his team in the semifinals, and in Game 1 of their best-of-five series, Air21 stunned San Mig Super Coffee, 103-100, thanks to Anthony’s career-high-tying 29 points, three rebounds, and three steals coming off the bench.
It was an inspired effort from the 28-year-old as he shot 5-of-6 behind the arc and 10-of-14 from the stripe.
“I guess we found somebody who is suited to what we’re trying to do for the team. He gives us a lot of intangibles,” Pumaren said.
For his part, Anthony is just happy to have helped the Express to victory.
“I just get what the defense gives us. I’m not trying to go out and score. Spoon is driving and they were doubling, and it just turned out to be open shots from the three-point line and it just went in,” said the McGill University alumnus. “Those shots were for my teammates. They set me up for open shots.”
He added, “The starting five is starting strong, so when I come off the bench, I just try to bring the energy a little bit and whatever’s working, whatever coach wants, I just buy in to the system and it’s working.”
With Air21 drawing first blood, Anthony still said that the 1-0 lead means nothing to them, and what matters is barging into the Finals.
“We said we’re coming into this series with a mindset of three times to beat because San Mig Coffee is such a great team, they’re a championship team, so that if we ever get down, it’s gonna be impossible to get back in front,” he said.
“We’re coming in with a mentality that we can never lose any of these three games and that’s how we’re going to play, play with heart and aggressiveness every game.” (RL)
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