Chris Ross undeniably set the tone of Game Six of the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup Finals, Sunday night.
One of the best defenders in the league today, Ross showed how much of an impact he can make on offense as well. He went 5-for-5 from downtown in the first half alone, lifting his San Miguel Beermen to a 37-16 lead over the Magnolia Hotshots in the second frame.
The Beermen remained in the driver’s seat, and eventually beat the Hotshots, 98-86.
The 6-foot-1 floor general finished with 17 points on a 66-percent shooting clip from the field, along with six assists and five rebounds as well as a game-high three steals in the nearly 37 minutes he graced the hardwood.
After Sunday, Ross has seemingly proven that SMB’s in a good position when he’s producing nicely — Ross has normed 15.7 points, 6.0 boards, and 4.0 dimes in their wins this series. But he said he’s just taking what the defense gives him.
“I take what the defense gives me. I’m not out there forcing shots,” Ross said.
Ross, however, finds more satisfaction with the way the Beermen played as a whole than his personal outing. He expressed how elated he is to see San Miguel play its best game in a time where their backs are against the wall.
Had they lost, it would mean the end of the Beermen’s four-year reign as All-Filipino kings. But things went otherwise, and the series will now head into an all-important Game Seven on Wednesday, May 15.
“I told the guys after the game that we played one of our best games today, as far as being unselfish; and sharing the ball; and not caring who got the shot, or who got the rebound. Team defense, everything,” said the 10-year pro.
Now that the series has boiled down to a rubber match, Ross expects nothing but a war – a war that, should SMB win, could silence the naysayers who have rained down doubts on the league’s winningest team.
“A lot of people have been doubting us throughout this series and throughout the last couple of years, saying a lot of things about us. We hear all of it, but we’re all self-motivated. In our locker room, we keep ourselves motivated,” said Ross.
“Any of the outside talk doesn’t really get to us. We know what to expect going into Game 7 of the Finals, and we talked about it after the game. And we got two days to prepare, rest our bodies and be ready for war on Wednesday.”
