After Game One of the 2017 Commissioner’s Cup Finals last Wednesday yielded a tight result, it was expected that Game Two between San Miguel Beermen and TNT Katropa Friday night would be another grind-out affair.
But surprisingly, it went otherwise. And it was mostly due to the defense they played.
The Beermen regained their old form and were able to level the series with a rousing 102-88 victory, a result far fromGame One, which had ended 104-102.
“Hindi ko in-expect na ganito,” admitted June Mar Fajardo of the result, after the match at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
However, the three-time MVP, who finished with 22 points, 11 rebounds, and two blocks, did not downplay the way his side had played defense, especially against Joshua Smith.
After calling for help post-Game One, the Beermen constantly flooded the 6-foot-10, 330-pound reinforcement with double and even triple-teams.
“Maganda ang naging depensa namin. Credit sa teammates ko.
“Kita rin nila na sobrang hirap ako sa import at tinulungan nila ako. Maganda talaga yung adjustment ng coaching staff,” said the Cebuano center, as they were able to limit TNT’s hulking import to just 11 points and six rebounds while forcing him to commit five turnovers.
SMB will now have a chance to post a 2-1 series lead in Game Three on Sunday. But Fajardo is aware that it will never be an easy task to fulfill, as he expects the Katropa to create yet another set of adjustments.
“Expected namin na mag-adjust sila sa next game. Bukas titignan namin kung ano pa ang puwede naming i-adjust para sa Game Three,” said Fajardo. “Malakas din ang TNT kaya dapat focus lang sa gameplan.
“Kung puwede go hard agad.”
