Stung by a heartbreaking loss in Recreation 1, San Miguel flipped the script towards TNT to maneuver to inside a win of ruling the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup.
The Beermen have been capable of erase a 24-point deficit within the sequence opener, however an offensive basketball interference name on a Mo Tautuaa dunk try spoiled their comeback bid as TNT eked out a 99-96 victory to attract first blood.
However since dropping Recreation 1, San Miguel strung collectively three consecutive wins to maneuver to the brink of the title. In doing so, in addition they come nearer to ending TNT’s Grand Slam hopes.
“The largest influence is our first sport — it fuels our grit. You possibly can see naman sa mga gamers na on their eyes, makikita mo ‘yung fireplace. They need to win,” San Miguel head coach Leo Austria stated.
[The biggest impact is our first game — it fuels our grit. You can see it in the players, in their eyes, you can see the fire. They want to win.]
Jericho Cruz echoed Austria sentiments, although he harassed that they’ve already moved on from that controversial Recreation 1 affair. As a substitute, they only regrouped and performed as one within the succeeding video games.
The veteran taking pictures guard stepped up in Recreation 4, erupting for 23 factors on 5-of-7 taking pictures from downtown to assist the Beermen pull away late en route to a 105-91 romp on Sunday.
“Sayang ‘yung pagkatalo namin no’n kasi akala namin we’ve got an opportunity to win the sport, ayun nga lang na-minus ‘yung factors at natalo kami pero tapos na ‘yun e. Naka-move on na kami do’n,” Cruz shared.
“Tulad ng sinasabi ni coach, paglaro namin talagang put in your head na parang each sport is your final sport. Kaya ako, particularly sinasabihan ni Boss Al, na laruin ko lang ‘yung laro ko. Let it’s.”
[It was too bad, that loss of ours because we thought we had a chance to win the game. And there, the points were subtracted and we lost the game. But that’s in the past. We’ve moved on from that… Like coach said, when we play, put in your head that every game is your last game. For me specifically, Boss Al said to just play my game. Let it be.]
Cruz’s show additionally proved the depth of San Miguel because the likes of Don Trollano, Jeron Teng, Juami Tiongson, and Rodney Brondial giving the Beermen an enormous raise towards an injury-riddled TNT.
Apart from Cruz’s game-high output, Trollano chipped in 11 factors in Recreation 4 whereas additionally grabbing six rebounds, three assists, and three steals.
“Stepping up lang naman ‘yung ginagawa ko. Kumbaga kung panget ‘yung or ‘di masyadong nilalaro ng first group, nandito kami ni Don to step up sa second group,” Cruz added.
“‘Yun lang ‘yung ginagawa namin. Binibigyan din namin sila ng motivation. Gusto ko rin mag-thank you kay coach dahil sa tiwala na binibigay niya sa akin, hanggang ngayon meron pa rin.”
[What I’m doing is just stepping up. If for example, the first group didn’t play so well, Don and I are here to step up with the second group… That’s all we’re doing. We’re giving them motivation. I also want to say thank you to coach because of the trust he gives me. Until now, he continues to give it.]
—JMB, GMA Built-in Information
