TIME TO GET OVER CHAMPIONSHIP HANGOVER
Is it still a case of championship hangover for San Miguel Beer?
The newly-crowned Philippine Cup champ was blasted by Barangay Ginebra, 95-82, on Sunday as the Beermen fell further down the standings with a 0-2 start in the 2015 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
Beermen coach Leo Austria voiced his displeasure on how his wards have fared in their first pair of games so far this conference.
“That’s not our usual game. Before, from start to finish, talagang fluid ang execution ng plays. But now, everybody’s trying to adjust dun sa atmosphere ng pagiging champion and yung pagkakaroon ng import,” he said shortly after emerging from the lockers.
Austria also did not discount the notion that his wards might still be on a high after their title conquest just three weeks prior, saying, “It’s too short of a time to celebrate, but I hope in the next few days, makalimutan na nila yung championship. I think with these last two losses, things will be different.”
And he’s banking on the good outing of import Ronald Roberts this time out as the reinforcement had 32 points, 14 rebounds, and five blocks in the losing effort.
“With how our import played tonight, there are positives. Makikita niyo na talagang on both sides of the court, talagang nagtatrabaho siya. That’s something na kailangan i-capitalize namin. Our import is slowly adjusting to the brand of game we have,” Austria said, as the Beermen shoots for its first win against Blackwater on Wednesday.
“No need to push the panic button yet. What’s important is we need to win our first game.” (RL)
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