BEERMEN GO FOR SHUTOUT WIN VERSUS TEXTERS
To many, Christmas is about giving.
Not for San Miguel Beer in its PBA Philippine Cup Final Four showdown with Talk n Text.
On Friday, the Beermen try to apply the broom on the Tropang Texters, looking to sweep their best-of-seven playoff to gain a first Philippine Cup finals appearance in four years.
Both teams didn’t take a Christmas Day break in preparation for Game Four set at 7 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
San Miguel is determined to be the first team in a while to score a shutout in a race-to-four-games series in the local pro league.
Talk n Text, on the other hand, is out to hang on to its last strand of hope for a return stint in the Philippine Cup finals.
At 3-0, the Beermen vow to continue playing with their hearts out and not to take anything for granted.
Coach Leo Austria and his troops have their painful lessons blowing away huge leads in PBA playoffs.
“We need four wins to close it out. They still have their chance, and we shouldn’t be complacent. We should be smart,” said San Miguel coach Leo Austria.
“Naka-experience na ako ng masakit na talo as a player sa PBA. Ayaw kong maulit yon,” said Austria, recalling Shell blowing away a 3-1 lead to lose the 1991 PBA First Conference crown to Ginebra.
“Kahit sa PBL, naka-experience ako ng ganyan. Kaya gagawin namin ang dapat namin gawin para huwag mangyari ‘yon,” Austria pointed out.
Meanwhile, Arwind Santos’ heart still bleeds in remembering their loss to the Texters in the 2012 Philippine Cup semis.
The Texters fought back from a 1-3 deficit to steal the series then went on to win the crown, toppling Powerade in the finale.
“Dapat na matuto kami sa lesson noon. We have to be on our toes always,” said Santos.
If ever, San Miguel Beer, the league’s winningest ball club, will have a shot at a fifth Philippine Cup crown and 20th crown overall.
The Beermen have never been in the finals since their 2013 Governors Cup titular battle with eventual champs the San Mig Coffee Mixers.
The Texters, on the other hand, are focused on one thing – fight until the fight isn’t over. (SB)
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