Austria urges wards to sustain winning momentum in Game 4
After another rout of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in Game 3, San Miguel Beer (SMB) coach Leo Austria charges his Beermen to maintain their winning momentum as they face the Gin Kings at 7 p.m. tonight in Game 4 of the best-of-seven finals of Season 43 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
SMB is targeting its 26th overall title since joining the league as one of the founding members in 1975. The conference’s Best Player and Best Import will also be announced tonight.
“As what I have said, that was just one game, 2-1. And we need two more wins to defend the title, but we have the advantage. I hope this blowout game will also serve as a morale booster,” said Austria, who is gunning for a 7th championship victory since becoming SMB’s head coach in 2014.
San Miguel Beer lost 99-127 in Game 1 but posted resounding wins in Game 2 (134-109) and Game 3 (132-94).
Chris Ross (6) of San Miguel Beer dribbles the ball past Jeff Chan of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in Game 3 of the best-of-seven finals of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum. PBA MEDIA BUREAU PHOTO
“We’re very successful in the last two games so why change? But we can expect that there will be an adjustment (from Ginebra) and everything is still possible,” added Austria.
Chris Ross, who sustained a nasty cut on the forehead in Game 3, expects an explosive retaliation from Ginebra in Game 4.
“It’s going to be a war definitely in Game 4. Those guys are not going to lay down,” said Ross, who posted 23 points, seven rebounds, five assists and four steals last game. “No matter if we won by a 30-point lead, it will still be 2-1. If they win next game, it will be 2-2. We want to try to come out and put a strangle going 3-1 and they know that. So we are going to brace a tough push for them and we’re ready on Friday.”
Meanwhile, Ginebra coach Tim Cone admitted that they are still licking their wounds.
“San Miguel Beer tore out our hearts and demoralized us. A truly great performance by them on both sides of the ball. We were embarrassed, I was embarrassed,” said Cone in a text message to The Manila Times. “Bottom line, though, we still have to remember that it is a seven-game series and the game score is still only 2-1.”
“Needless to say, however, we need to find a way to play a whole lot better to reach their level. That’s our challenge.”
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