Beermen, Aces gun for strong start as title series unfolds

CEBU, Philippines – San Miguel Beer is well rested and motivated while Alaska Milk rides the momentum of a swashbuckling run in the playoffs as the two teams begin their PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven titular showdown at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday night.

Knowing the importance of Game One, both sides are raring to come out strong and take the early initiative as they fight for the crucial series icebreaker at 7 p.m.

“Winning Game One is important. It will boost the players’ confidence and morale, and maybe dictate the series,” said Leo Austria, a PBL and ABL champion coach reaching the PBA finals in his very first tournament as head coach of San Miguel Beer.

Austria said they’re ready to battle especially as all his players are back in top shape, recovering from their health woes in their long break after a four-game sweep of Talk n Text in the Final Four.

Austria isn’t too sure, though, if his team – the elims top-notcher and playoffs top seed – “is in game shape.”

That could well be Alaska’s big edge, at least at the start of the series.

“Grabe ang kundisyon ng Alaska (Alaska is in great condition). We have to figure out how to handle their non-stop pressure defense,” said Austria.

Using that ploy from the start of the elims all the way to their conquests of NLEX, Meralco and Rain or Shine in the post-elims play, Alaska coach Alex Compton said there’s no way they’re deviating from that now.

“That’s our only way to have a chance at beating San Miguel Beer,” said Compton, convinced they have more than enough in their tank to last the full distance of the series.

“The players consider our games as their break. They really have tougher times in our practices,” said Compton.

They’re so serious and so focused in their practices that the Aces’ sessions are off limits to everyone except themselves. “Even my wife isn’t allowed there,” Compton said.

Meanwhile, there’s no secret on what San Miguel’s winning formula.

“What do they have? Two MVPs surrounded by equally great athletes committed to play a disciplined game,” said Compton.

It’s no secret, too, that San Miguel has become a lot more formidable on the team’s acquisition of Alex Cabagnot for Sol Mercado before the playoffs.

“No doubt Junemar (Fajardo) is our big strength, but Junemar draws strength from the team. He can’t do it alone,” said Austria.

“To maximize his advantage, we got Cabagnot – an additional shooter that will open up the middle for Junemar,” Austria also said. “Dati kasi, wala pang bola si Junemar, dino-double or triple na. With a smart guard who can shoot from the outside, mag-iisip muna ang kalaban kung paano sila do-double.”

The Aces are realistic no single player can stop the San Miguel behemoth.

“Good thing, basketball is a team game. It’s not just me, it’s not just Eric (Menk). All five players on the court will try to contain him,” said Alaska center Sonny Thoss.

Compton insisted San Miguel is not just about Fajardo.

“We can’t afford to let him have 30 points and 20 rebounds. Neither can we afford to let Arwind Santos have 25 points, and guys like Marcio Lassiter, Chris Lutz, Ronald Tubid and Cabagnot to get their points,” said Compton.

San Miguel eyes a fifth all-Filipino title and 20th overall while Alaska also shoots for a fifth all-Filipino crown and 15th in all. — Philippine STAR News Service (FREEMAN)