SMB upbeat on Ross, Lutz recovery in time for Finals

MANILA, Philippines – Thanks to its four-game sweep of Talk n Text that rewarded the team an extended Christmas breather, San Miguel Beer isn’t worrying much about the health problems afflicting key players Chris Ross and Chris Lutz.

Ross is nursing coughs and cold while Lutz is recovering from diarrhea, but the team is confident the two would be ready for action in time for the PBA Philippine Cup Finals beginning either Jan. 7 or 9.

“We enjoy one of the benefits of an early finals entry. Ross and Lutz have the time to recover from their ailments,” said San Miguel coach Leo Austria.

Ross, who shares point guard chores with Alex Cabagnot, was sent to a hospital but was discharged right away.

The Beermen returned to their regular practice session at the Acropolis Gym in Libis, Quezon City Monday, and the SMB coach liked what he saw.

“You can see in their (the Beermen’s) body language that they’re eager to go back into action and play the finals,” said Austria. “We’re trying to control them or they might no longer have energy in the finals.”

San Miguel battles either Alaska Milk or Rain or Shine in a best-of-seven showdown as the Beermen chase a first crown in 10 conferences.

The Beermen are being criticized as an underachieving team as they’ve been without a crown in three years with a star-studded lineup led by MVP winners June Mar Fajardo and Arwind Santos.

Both Fajardo and Santos have vowed they will try their best to end the team’s title drought.

With the outcome of the other semi series still up in the air, the Beermen are just doing basic drills in practice.

“We don’t want the players to develop bad habits and we don’t want them to forget what we’re doing. So we’re back to basic,” Austria pointed out.

Austria and his staff know what to expect versus Alaska or Rain or Shine.

They’re well aware the Aces beat their opponents on their untiring and unforgiving trapping defense while the Elasto Painters thrive with their physicality and fast-paced game.

Austria has made a bold prediction that it would be Alaska in Game Six or Rain or Shine in Game Seven.

Three-games-to-two up, the Aces take their first of two shots at the finals at 5 p.m. Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The Beermen gained the first berth in the all-Filipino finals after sweeping the Tropang Texters, 4-0, in their own semis series.

San Miguel now has a chance to capture a fifth all-Filipino crown and a 20th championship in all.