When the TNT Katropa started ablaze right from the get-go of Game Two, where they buried San Miguel Beermen in a historic 17-0 kickstart, it was heavily anticipated that the flagship MVP franchise was on pace to a 2-0 series lead in the Finals.
“We’re playing too tight,” recalled Beermen’s resident energizer Chris Ross of that lackluster start.
“Credit to TNT. They played with energy and made some shots.”
However, the Katropa failed to sustain the momentum after that wild surge. The Beermen found ways to slow them down in the next frames, and once they started to knock down shots, TNT saw their fiery start go to naught.
“Once we got our juices flowing, we got the lead cut down and eventually took the lead,” said Ross, as San Miguel managed to overcome the Katropa through a strong second half, to come out victorious, 120-88.
Being down huge in a game and suddenly turning the tables around is not something new for the multi-titled franchise. SMB have done that for so many times, it seems almost routine for them.
“We always go out, play hard no matter what situation, no matter what hurdle we come across,” said the 32-year-old point guard. “We’re a veteran enough team to gather ourselves and adjust and trying to make plays for one another.”
And this time, as San Miguel aim to win the 2017 Commissioner’s Cup crown and end a 21-year title drought in the mid-season affair, their hustle on both ends rooted from their desire to avoid a 0-2 deficit in the race-to-four affair.
“We don’t want to go down 2-0, man,” said the two-time Finals Most Valuable Player. “Our team has been in every situation possible and we knew they’re gonna come out strong and we didn’t know we’ll come out that flat.
“It was just a gut-check for us that do we want to go down 2-0 or do we want to make this a series, and we cut that lead down pretty quick.”
The Texas-native finished with 20 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and four steals. It was another all-around game for Ross, but he was quick to deflect the credit to their second unit as they provided much-needed support.
“It was a lot of our second group. Those guys played well. Arwind [Santos] came in, hit some big shots, Brian [Heruela] came in got some us some good minutes, Gabby [Espinas], David Semerad played well for us,” Ross remarked about their bench scoring 32 points compared 18 in Game One.
“It was definitely our second unit that gave us some energy that kind of pushed us to the limit,” added Ross, a frontrunner for this conference’s Best Player of the Conference award.
But the 2016 Defensive Player of the Year does not want to get too caught up with their Game Two victory, as they have not achieved anything yet but to tie the series at a game apiece.
“It’s just one game. We don’t care if you win by 40 or by one, it’s still 1-1,” iterated the four-time champion.
“More adjustments on Saturday and be ready for Sunday.”
