Reinvigorated Beermen plan to pull away in Game 5
Credit to Author: JOSEF T. RAMOS, TMT| Date: Thu, 09 May 2019 16:16:44 +0000
Defending champion San Miguel Beer will shoot for a pivotal 3-2 lead against Magnolia in Game 5 of the best-of-seven finals of Season 44 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at 7 p.m. tonight at the Araneta Coliseum.
Fajardo, fresh from receiving his sixth straight Best Player of the Conference plum in the Philippine Cup and eighth overall, led San Miguel Beer to a 114-98 Game 4 victory, tying the series to 2-2. Fajardo finished with 31 points and 14 boards.
San Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria is hoping to sustain the team’s energy heading to Game 5.
“Next game is a very important game in a best of three series. We displayed a different kind of energy the last time and we’re hoping we sustain it,” said Austria.
“But I’m expecting next game will be a different game for us because they (Magnolia) want to bounce back hard. It could be the turning point of the series. Teams that won Game 5 have a 60 percent chance of winning the title.”
The other Beermen who scored in double figures in Game 4 were Terrence Romeo (18), Chris Ross (15), Christian Standhardinger (13), Arwind Santos (12) and Alex Cabagnot (11).
Though it would be good to finish the series before election day, Austria said they’re taking things one game at a time. “We are hoping to finish that if we will be fortunate [enough]. But you can never know what will happen in the next two games. One game at a time because Magnolia is a tough team to beat.”
Magnolia coach Chito Victolero said that Fajardo’s presence overwhelmed them in the last game.
“June Mar (Fajardo) dominated the game. That’s the story of the game. We need to do a good job next time on June Mar at the post. I think he is almost 100 percent in the field. We need to adjust and we need to be more aggressive. It’s just a matter of defensive mindset,”said Victolero.
He added that so much lies in Game 5.
“What is positive here is the series is tied and the Friday’s game is a pivotal game. We need to prepare hard for that.”
Jio Jalalon and Mark Barroca contributed 22 points each for the Hotshots in Game 4.
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