The San Miguel Beermen remain unperturbed heading into win-or-go-home Game 6
Less than 15 hours after absorbing a tough 101-94 Game Five loss to the TNT Katropa that placed them in a 2-3 predicament, the San Miguel Beermen were unusually light Friday afternoon during the team’s practice held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasig City.
There were little on-court drills during the day’s session and majority was spent viewing film of what went wrong the night before.
“Sabi ko nga e, this is a series of adjustments,” three-time PBA champion coach Leo Austria told Tiebreaker Times.
“May nakita silang iba kagabi. But now it’s up to us to adjust at sana ma-execute namin yung adjustments bukas.”
Thursday evening, TNT ran as if there was no tomorrow, exploding for 15 points off the break while taking advantage of San Miguel’s 17 turnovers that paved the way for 27 points.
In the series, three San Miguel players log-in an average of at least 39 minutes in the series while two more clock in at 35 minutes. That is why the team’s staff focused more on the mental preparation of the game.
“Ever since naman kami we practice for these types of situations,” the 58-year-old mentor admitted.
“Alam naman natin na ang players ay pagod na pagod pagdating ng game. There’s no need to exert a lot of effort this time to preserve their energy especially against TNT na they want us to run.”
And after experiencing numerous do-or-die games in his three year stint with San Miguel — including four straight times during the Philippine cup a season ago, Austria knows that his troops will be both physically and mentally ready for Game Six.
“I hope na they are ready.
“Based on my experience during my stay here, they always know what to do in games like this but it remains to be seen tomorrow. I hope yung mga napag-usapan namin at nakita nila kanina, magawa nila bukas,” Austria said.
