Reigning champions San Miguel Beermen absorbed a crucial 82-86 loss in Game Three to fall to an unfamiliar 1-2 series deficit against the Magnolia Hotshots in the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven Finals, Sunday night at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Since 2016, when the Beermen completed the Beeracle from a 0-3 series deficit against Alaska, the Beermen have not given up two wins against opponents. They made short work of their counterparts in the past two Philippine Cup seasons.
San Miguel defeated Ginebra and Magnolia both in just five games in 2017 and 2018, respectively.
Still, seven-time champion Arwind Santos isn’t worried, assuring that the Beermen have no reason to be nervous with the series deficit just yet.
“Wala ‘yan, hindi kami kinakabahan sa ganiyan,” said the 37-year old vet, who paced SMB with 19 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks in their narrow Game defeat.
“Ita-tie lang namin ‘yan. Sisiguraduhin namin na mananalo kami ng Game Four. Tapos best-of-three ang usapan.”
To do that, Santos said the Beermen must go toe-to-toe with the Hotshots’ defense – especially in rebounding. In Game Three, they were eaten alive, 48-71, including a massive 24-48 offensive rebounding disadvantage.
“Maganda. Maganda yung depensa nila. May adjustment sila sa offense nila na ginawa na hindi namin napaghandaan,” added the 2013 PBA Most Valuable Player.
“Bukas, may practice pa rin kami, walang pahinga. Kailangan pa rin namin pag-usapan yung mga kailangan naming gawin, mostly on defense. Like sa offensive rebound, ang dami nilang nakuha kaysa sa amin. Kailangan naming mag-adjust doon para makasabay kami.”
Given how the Hotshots manhandled the Beermen in the glass in Game Three, are the Beermen in trouble already heading into the pivotal Game Three?
Arwind thinks otherwise, dismissing the idea that the Hotshots have already figured them out for the rest of the series, where their legacy-defining five-time All Filipino conference championship is on the line.
“Pwede, pero hindi ako naniniwala na itong buong series na ito, kaya nila kaming i-stop-in.”
