Knowing San Miguel is the best team in the league today, Star Hotshots forward Marc Pingris said the only way to have a good shot at beating the Beermen is by exemplifying hard work and a desire to win.
That’s what the Hotshots have done even with a twice-to-beat disadvantage, rallying back from a 13-point deficit to take a 108-99 win and force a do-or-die match on Wednesday.
“Kami naman, kung mas maraming talent sa kabila, ang pinatutuunan lang namin hard work lang talaga. Yun lang,” Pingris said.
“Gusto talaga naming manalo. Ang ganda rin ng depensa na binigay namin. Alam naming malakas ang line-up nila. Ang puhunan lang namin dito is depensa.”
The Hotshots fought back and out-scored the Beermen 34-24 in the fourth quarter. They also out-rebounded the Beermen, 62-50, and had 19 points off the Beermen’s 12 turnovers.
Apart from overcoming a double-digit deficit, Star also tried to stay within striking distance despite being called for too many fouls early on. Pingris himself had five fouls in three quarters alone, while import Ricardo Ratliffe and big Rafi Reavis both had four in three quarters.
Overall, Star were whistled for five more fouls, while San Miguel earned seven more free throw attempts. But the Hotshots kept pounding, and seized the opportunity late in the game.
“Sinabi ni coach kanina, hindi mo na mababalik yung first quarter. Ganoon talaga ang tawagan so focus lang sa game, at least nakabalik naman,” Pingris said.
Though the chances remain slim for the Hotshots, Pingris said the team will just try to make the most out of the play-off stint.
“Alam naming babawi sila next game, pero ang tatalo naman sa kanila, sarili na nila eh. Sila na talaga ang pinakamalakas na team sa PBA ngayon. No doubt yun. Sila may pinakamalakas na line-up. Napatunayan na nila yun,” he said.
“Binigyan kami ng pagkakataon. Lagi naman namin iniisip, 50-50 lagi. So tingnan namin ang pwede i-adjust.”
