For San Miguel head coach Leo Austria, the Beermen’s 80-78. come-from-behind win over the TNT KaTropa in Game One of their 2019 PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals best-of-three series Saturday was because of sheer luck.
“First of all, thank God for this win. We thought we’re losing because of a bad start,” said the three-time Coach of the Year, whose Beermen trailed for the majority of the match, even going down by 12 once.
“Swerte lang kami rito.”
Meanwhile, June Mar Fajardo couldn’t agree more with his head coach.
“Onga, onga. Oo. Swerte rin kami, may halong swerte,” he said.
The reigning five-time league MVP then said that it was luck that allowed him to punch in two straight put-backs inside the game’s final 1:50, which turned a three-point deficit to a two-point win that moved them near the semis.
“Nagkataon lang na nandun din ako,” added Fajardo, who had 15 points and 10 rebounds.
But beyond his game-saving shots, Fajardo lauded their second group for playing a huge part in the win. That group was led by Terrence Romeo, who finished with 15 points, two rebounds, two assists, and a steal.
“Credit sa second group namin, nag-step up sila. Sila nagpanalo sa game na ‘to.”
