By Waylon Galvez
This was what SMB coach Leo Austria emphasized halfway through the team’s four-day break yesterday.
Austria said the team has gotten over the ‘hungry factor’ that helped them set a record by winning the prestigious Philippine Cup for a third straight time.
“Sa tingin ko busog na sila, nakakain na sila… nalasahan na nila paano ang magtagumpay,” said Austria.
“Pero ngayon, ang nagdadala sa kanila sa tingin ko is iyung pride na hindi papatalo. Alam naman natin na lahat ng teams sa PBA kami ang gustong talunin, pero nakikita ko sa mga players… andun iyung pride na ‘no… hindi kami papatalo’ na tingin ko mas maganda,” added Austria.
The team’s title run in the Philippine Cup started in 2015 when it bested Alaska in a grueling seven-game series.
The two teams renewed their rivalry the following season as SMB recorded a first ever comeback from 3-0 deficit to beat the Aces in another classic Game 7 encounter in what had become as the ‘Beer-acle’ campaign of the Beermen.
Last season, San Miguel defeated Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in five games of a seven-game showdown to become the second team – after TNT KaTropa – to win the Jun Bernardino ‘Perennial’ Trophy.
This season, Austria said he’s confident that they are up to the challenge to win a fourth consecutive Philippine Cup because he can see from his players the desire to win the title.
The team opened its campaign with a 104-96 victory over Phoenix Fuel, then followed it up with a 103-97 triumph against Meralco to tie NLEX on top of the standings for the early lead.
