The San Miguel Corporation’s culture of success runs not only in basketball, but also in volleyball.
For the better part of the decade, the San Miguel Beermen have been the most dominant franchise in the PBA, winning six of the last 10 championships.
Likewise, the Petron Blaze Spikers have run roughshod through the PSL.
Displaying this dominance, both franchises are gunning for their second titles in their respective leagues this season with the Beermen eyeing the Commissioner’s Cup title and the Blaze Spikers competing for the Chooks-to-Go Invitational Cup.
While Petron head coach Shaq Delos Santos relishes delivering the same level of succees to the proud company, he also looks at the immense pressure he faces.
Last year, both San Miguel and Petron were on the verge of sweeping all of their leagues’ major titles, only to be thwarted in the final conference.
This year, both are again on pace for an elusive Grand Slam.
Delos Santos points out that acheiving a feat such as that is lofty task, even for a super team like his.
“Ayokong isipin siya agad. Kung talagang ibibigay sa amin ni Lord, hihintayin namin. Ayaw kong mag-expect. Isa-isa lang dapat,” said the amiable mentor.
“Hindi siya madali. Siyempre, may mga nage-expect pero kailangan hard work pa rin. Ang raming kailangang mangyare para makamit namin ‘yun.”
Standing in their for the fourth straight Finals is the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers, whom Delos Santos says is their co-equal.
“Puso na lang rin ‘yung pag-uusapan. Lahat kasi ‘yan, skills-wise, meron na ‘yan. May mga kanya-kanyang diskarte ‘yung mga coaches. Nasa patibayan na lang puso ‘yan.”
And that heart is what made the two franchises succesful in the pro volleyball circuit.
