By JONAS TERRADO
San Miguel’s Chris Ross had just intercepted Robbie Herndon’s pass from the baseline when he looked at PJ Simon, who was standing near the Magnolia bench, and faked a chest pass with less than 5:30 remaining in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s second game of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals.
While later suggesting that it was all for fun, Ross also seemed to have given the Hotshots a stern message in the Beermen’s 92-77 victory that not only tied the best-of-seven series at 1-1 going into the Holy Week break, but also restoring whatever pride lost in the stunning meltdown two nights earlier.
“We’re such a prideful team and to lose a game up 20 in the finals is never a good feeling,” said Ross, referring to San Miguel’s 105-103 loss in Game 1 despite a 20-point third quarter lead. “Us veterans took it upon ourselves to right the ship a little bit and come in Game 2 and try to get the win.”
Arwind Santos, who had a minor dustup with Jio Jalalon late in the contest, perhaps typified how the Beermen regained their mean streak by hitting 24 points on six triples. One of his long toms came at a crucial point in the fourth quarter when the Hotshots, down 21 twice in the third, opened the fourth with 11 straight to move within eight, 75-67.
But Santos’ triple triggered a 10-0 counter by the Beermen and avoided a dreaded 2-0 hole that would have given them plenty of difficult time pondering on how to redeem themselves, particularly with the series’ taking a break until Sunday.
“Siguro pinakita lang namin na hindi dahil naka three-peat na kami, papayag na lang kami ng ganun-ganun lang.” said Santos. “Siguro kaya pinakita ko na lang na bilang may-ari ng trono, kahit sino umagaw, magagalit ka.
“Siguro sa akin, walang personalan. Siguro para sa akin, pinakita ko lang yung dapat kong i-contribute doon maliban sa maka-focus sa laro, kailangan ipakita mo rin na hindi ka masisindak ng kahit sino sa loob.
“Kaya akala nila siguro nakikipag-away na ako, pero yun lang ay dahil gusto ko manalo, gusto ko ma-tie (ang series) kasi mahirap na pag na-2-0 kami,” he added.
Despite getting the split two games, the Beermen know that their Game 2 performance won’t be enough to get things done in their quest for a fourth consecutive title in the PBA’s oldest and most important tournament.
Magnolia had successfully make June Mar Fajardo commit 11 turnovers in Game 1 and score just 12 in Game 2 with Ian Sangalang, Rafi Reavis and Kyle Pascual sharing the duties containing the San Miguel gentle giant.
But the usual performances from its crack starting five along with significant bench support from Matt Ganuelas-Rosser and Brian Heruela, who scored 10 points in 15 minutes, coupled with the possibly of extending the shooting woes of Magnolia’s Paul Lee and containing Sangalang may bode well in the Beermen’s chances of lifting the Jun Bernardino Perpetual Trophy yet again.
“Mabuti na lang naka-catch up kami doon. Pero hindi mabuting tignan para sa amin,” said Santos on almost blowing the aforementioned 21-point lead. “Yun nga, karamihan ng sinasabi nila, experience-wise at saka nakakailang championship na kami, dapat hindi naglalaro ng ganoon.”
