BEERMEN TAKE 1ST CRACK AT FINAL 4
For the San Miguel Beermen, making the Final Four is a mere formality.
And there are two ways to do it. One is stretching themselves in an expected battle against the Talk n Text Tropang Texters and the other is probably just going through the motions against the Blackwater Elite.
San Miguel takes its first shot at formalizing early semifinal passage in tangling with Talk n Text in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Friday night.
“This is a big test,” said San Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria.
“This actually is the biggest or the toughest for us this conference. Kasi yung mga dinaanan na namin eh either hindi ganon ka higante or higanteng team na rebuilding pa lang o nagpapatono pa ng laro nila,” Austria pointed out.
“This one is different. This is a giant team which has been playing well. Beterano ang mga players nito who know how to handle any kind of game situation. Kaya nakakatakot,” Austria added.
Both teams are on a rampage with San Miguel winning its last five games and Talk n Text winning its last three outings.
Talk n Text has clinched a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals at 7-3, but the Texters are still hoping to sneak into the Top Two.
Of course, that possibility doesn’t rest just on the Texters’ shoulders.
But for whatever it’s worth, the Texters are determined to finish their elimination-round strong.
“We have the same thing in mind. We’re both building momentum for the playoffs,” said Austria.
Both teams have gone on a hot streak even with the absence of key players.
Kelly Williams is in sickbay for Talk n Text while Marcio Lassiter and David Semerad are smarting from different health woes for San Miguel. (SB)
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