CONFIDENT ACES READY TO STAY IN COMMAND
One side looks to put further separation in the series while the other again goes for the equalizer in the pivotal Game Four of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday night.
Alaska is not about to slow down with coach Alex Compton stressing: “a 2-1 lead is nothing except a 2-1 lead.”
San Miguel would likely be as determined as the Beermen will try to avoid plunging into a hole that will doom their aspirations.
Both sides are expected to be well prepared as they slug it out in Game Four coming from a two-day respite.
Game time is at 7 p.m. with the Aces brimming with confidence following their 78-70 win in Game Three that was a virtual repeat of their 88-82 Game One victory.
Meanwhile, the Beermen are trying to be positive especially after a huddle with the team management where everyone agreed to put the first three games of the series behind them.
“Sabi namin kalimutan na namin iyon and let’s start all over agan. Let’s just play hard and see what happens. Ang importante maglaro lang kami ng maayos,” said San Miguel coach Leo Austria.
“Bakit ba kami lumamang ng malaki bago matalo in Game One and Game Three? Kasi ginawa namin ang dapat namin gawin. Iyon ang ibabalik namin,” Austria also said.
“Physically, we’re in shape. Yung mental, sabi namin huwag na kaming mag-emote-emote at walang mangyayari don,” Austria pointed out. “I still believe we’re capable of winning.”
Over at the Alaska camp, the Aces made a commitment to work harder in an attempt to inch closer to achieving their goal of winning a first Philippine Cup crown for the franchise in 15 years.
“Sa lahat ng players namin si Eric Menk lang ang may (Philippine Cup championship) ring. Motivation ng players na magkaroon non,” said Alaska coach Alex Compton.
The Aces would surely not veer away from their ploy to beat the Beermen with their hard-nosed defense.
If they’re to avoid falling into a 1-3 hole, the Beermen have to solve Alaska’s suffocating defense, particularly the clog on June Mar Fajardo in the paint.
Fajardo, the league’s scoring leader with an average of 19.2 points through the semis, has been limited to 14.0 with his field attempts down to nine a game in the Finals.
“Di ko nga malaman ba’t di makarating ang bola. Pero may adjustment kaming gagawin,” said Fajardo.
San Miguel, after a dominant ride from the elimination round, is now on shaky ground following two heartbreaking meltdowns in the championship series.
The Aces are beating the Beermen on sheer desire and determination, starting everything with tremendous defensive effort.
“Everybody has committed to have that defensive mindset the full 48 minutes,” said Alaska center Sonny Thoss. (SB)
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