Leo Austria feels that the 11 other PBA teams now look at San Miguel as an easy prey, with the absence of June Mar Fajardo in its bid to extend its Philippine Cup dominion to six this season.
The reigning, six-time Most Valuable Player was a key component for the Beermen’s unprecedented dynasty in the all-Filipino tilt. But he did not join his team in the bubble while he continues his recovery from a leg injury.
“I think every team, ‘yun ang feeling nila, na it’s easy to beat San Miguel because we don’t have June Mar Fajardo,” the four-time Coach of the Year said.
“Dahil alam nila with June Mar, he is always the problem.”
The Beermen opened their title defense on Tuesday night against Rain or Shine. Austria and his wards witnessed the extra confidence that the opposing teams now have while facing them.
A team that has the right mix of experience and youth, the Elasto Painters started the game with a blazing 16-0 blitz, — their best start ever in franchise history.
But like the champs that they are, San Miguel crawled back into the game. They eventually came within a point, 81-82, following a Terrence Romeo three-pointer with 27.3 seconds remaining in the game.
That, until Rey Nambatac hit the biggest shot of the night when he sank a triple off a scramble. That widened Rain or Shine’s lead to four, 85-81, with 12 seconds left — and knocked in the final nail in the coffin.
San Miguel lost, 83-87, failing to follow up the win it registered on opening day last March 8 against Magnolia. It also missed the chance to seize early leadership in the lone conference of the season.
“You can see it naman last night with how they played eh. Talagang very aggressive sila. And they were confident,” said Austria of Rain or Shine, who was led by sophomore Javee Mocon with 25 points.
Mocon himself seems to have an added motivation when facing San Miguel. According to the league’s stats chief Fidel Mangonon III, two of his highest-scoring games in the PBA have been against the Beermen.
The Elasto Painters’ sixth overall pick in 2018 had a third career-best 20 in an 89-87 loss to the powerhouse squad in Cagayan de Oro City in their elimination round meeting in last season’s Commissioner’s Cup.
Still, the Beermen must move on from the defeat. They now set their sights on Friday’s match versus rivals TNT Tropang GIGA, who have gone 2-0 following a dominant 112-101 win over Terra Firma Tuesday.
“We cannot promise anything but next game, we will do our best.”
