San Miguel gets boost from RR Garcia
PBA IMAGES
With a chance to make his first trip to the PBA semifinals, RR Garcia took matters to his own hands as he lifted San Miguel to a 98-91 conquest of Rain or Shine in their 2017 PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinal tiff on Sunday.
Garcia seemed hesitant at first, opting to pass up an open three as he tried to set up his teammates early. But a little prodding from the coaches and his veteran teammates Chris Ross and Alex Cabagnot did the trick as the 27-year-old guard finally went out of his shell.
“Ganoon naman kami sa practice. Sinasabihan ako na pag libre, tira lang. Wala namang mawawala kung di makashoot. Binibigyan talaga nila ako ng kumpyansa,” he said.
Gun-shy no more, Garcia starred for the Beermen as he torched the Elasto Painters with 25 points on a hot 5-of-7 shooting from threes.
His explosion further affirmed how deep San Miguel is, and once again reminded every one that it is the team to beat.
Garcia also said that though the Beermen can bank on its starters, it is the bench guys’ role to sustain the momentum.
“Kailangang mag-step up kasi di lang yung first group ang aasahan namin. Dapat pati rin second group, makatulong para manalo yung team,” he said.
As positive as Garcia is following his scintillating performance, he could only promise that he’ll do better as he breaks new personal grounds in the semis in search of his first championship in the pros.
“Sa akin, excited ako na makapasok sa semis,” he said. “Mas tataasan ko pa yung iko-contribute ko sa team. Di kami aasa na hanggang doon na lang. Sa practice pa lang, kailangan mag-extra work pa at di makuntento.”
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