June Mar’s key, says Austria

MANILA, Philippines — San Miguel Beer head coach Leo Austria said yesterday six-time MVP June Mar Fajardo is the key to surviving the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals against Bay Area but import Devon Scott must do his share to win Game 4 at the MOA Arena tomorrow and extend the series to a do-or-die Game 5, also at the MOA Arena, on Friday. The Dragons are on top, 2-1 and a win away from advancing to the Finals.

“Wala kami ibang pupuntahan,” said Austria after San Miguel edged Bay Area, 98-96, in Game 3 last Sunday. “Feed namin si June Mar sa post to force the double para mag-open up sa shooters. Kung wala si June Mar, wala kaming post threat at extended ang defense nila. Si Devon, kailangan tumulong sa opensa at mag-score. Buti na lang sa Game 3, maayos ang score niya at first time sa semis, naka three-point shot kaya good sign. Sa practice, ‘di naman nagkukulang at palaging extra shooting. ‘Di rin biro ang trabaho niya at bantay si (Andrew) Nicholson.”

With San Miguel’s win in Game 3, Austria said the Beermen got a morale booster. “Tumaas ang confidence,” he said. “Expect namin major adjustments from coach Brian (Goorjian). We’re challenged by coach Brian. They keep adjusting, waiting for us to make a mistake. Palaging may counter sila sa depensa. Aral na aral. Malaking tulong ang kanilang quartering the last five months sa hotel.”

Austria said Bay Area’s philosophy of running opponents to the ground pushes the Beermen to play deliberate offense. “We can’t afford taking bad shots kasi pag long rebound, takbo sila kaagad,” he said. In Game 1, Bay Area had more fastbreak points, 15-2, and in Game 2, it was 11-2. But in Game 3, they were even, 12-all. Austria said Nicholson is a handful. “Solid mag-pick si Nicholson at either pop or roll, he’s hard to contain,” he noted. “Kung si (Myles) Powell ang import, kayang tapatan pero deadly sa pull-ups at ang layo ng range. Basta tulung-tulong lang kami, believe na kaya namin manalo at may desire to win. We’re playing for pride, ‘di lang San Miguel ang dala namin kundi ang bayan.”