- Beermen gun for PH Cup title and Jun B. Perpetual Trophy
- Deep hole; let’s see if we can climb out – Cone
By JONAS TERRADO
Two straight victories following a 124-118 loss exactly a week ago in Lucena City have put the Beermen within an inch of securing the Jun Bernardino Perpetual Trophy, the large prize permanently given to the team that completes a three-peat in the season-opening conference.
SMB can become the second team after the 2011-2013 Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters to win three in a row should it deliver the hammer on immensely-popular Ginebra side in the 6:30 p.m. showdown.
Talks of a reversal of the Beeracle – the term used in San Miguel’s incredible rally from 0-3 down to beat Alaska in last season’s Philippine Cup finals – have surfaced immediately after Friday’s 94-85 Game 4 win, is why Coach Leo Austria and the rest of the team are keen on not giving Ginebra another lifeline.
“Di pa tapos ito,” Austria said. “0-3 nga kami before pero na-upset pa rin namin yung kalaban. Sabi ko nga we’re facing a great coach, a tough team supported by a large crowd, so anything could happen.
At the same time, Austria expressed confidence on his players to pull off the trifecta, adding: “I think with this commanding lead, makikita mo sa body language ng players na they don’t want to let go itong next game namin.”
Chris Ross, who ignites the Beermen’s torrid plays, is bracing for another difficult contest, and hopefully the last for the conference.
“It’s the finals. We got to come out every game,” said Ross. “It’s never going to be easy, and the further long you go in this series, the harder it gets.
“We’ve been through it before and we’re ready for whatever situation we come across,” added Ross, who had 17 points.
That sentiment was something Ginebra lacked. San Miguel raced to an 11-0 start and increased its lead to 26 in the third before holding off some minor threats late in the contest.
“Deep hole, gotta see if we can climb out of it,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone.
“There’s not much to say. They just beat us up. They showed how much power they have. They just overwhelmed us. We knew it would happen once or twice, but now it’s happened twice. Again, they’re just overwhelming at times.”
