The San Miguel Beermen have always been a team overflowing with talent.
In their 98-91 win against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters that sent them to the Philippine Cup semifinals for the fourth straight time, usual names such as June Mar Fajardo, Arwind Santos, Chris Ross, Alex Cabagnot and Marcio Lassiter were the usual suspects.
But an unusual name popped up on top of the stat sheet — RR Garcia, who was averaging just 7.3 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 19 minutes of action during the elimination round.
The five-foot-eleven point guard, who has been to three teams before landing in SMB, stole the limelight from the mentioned players. He led all players with 25 points on 7-of-11 shooting to go along with four boards and three dimes.
Even SMB coach Leo Austria was thankful of the way the FEU alumnus delivered, pointing out that if it weren’t for his effort, things could have went adrift from them.
“I have to commend our players, especially RR dahil nag-step up siya. If not for his outside shooting, I think we’re in trouble,” said Austria of Garcia, who also nailed five of seven attempts from downtown.
It has been a while since Garcia had this kind of rhythm in the three years he has been in the pro league. His career-high of 33 markers against the NLEX Road Warriors took place last 2016, when he was still with the Phoenix Fuel Masters.
But for the former UAAP Most Valuable Player, his performance on Sunday night stemmed from his desire to step up for their starters.
“Kailangan magstep up kasi di lang yung first group ang aasahan namin. Dapat pati second group, makatulong para manalo yung team,” said Garcia shortly after the match.
And the 27-year-old is credits his teammates for the confidence and trust they have given to him to strut his wares without any doubts.
“Ganoon naman sa practice, sinasabihan ako na pag libre, tira lang. Wala namang mawawala kung di makashoot. Binibigyan talaga nila ako ng kumpyansa,” said the Zamboanga-native, who has a career norm of 10.0 points.
Now that San Miguel is back in the semifinals, Garcia is nothing but excited, as this will be the very first time in his young career to play in the semis phase.
“Sa akin, excited ako na makapasok sa semis,” said Garcia.
“Mas tataasan ko pa yung i-contribute ko sa team. ‘Di kami aasa na hanggang doon na lang. Sa practice pa lang, kailangan magextra at di makuntento.”
Garcia’s excellent showing for the night can be considered as a comeback game for him — comeback in a sense that he has been dormant for a while. But it is not a comeback, though. Garcia never left.
