It’s still eyes on the prize for the San Miguel Beermen
One can tell that it already is playoff time when the league’s hottest team, the San Miguel Beermen, have nothing in mind but the championship. In fact, the Beermen were not even aware that their winning streak in the 2017 Philippine Cup has stretched to 11 games, which dates back to the elimination round.
“Well, hindi ko rin alam kung paano nangyari yun,” admitted SMB coach Leo Austria shortly after the Beermen’s Game 1 semis win over the TNT Katropa, 11-98, Wednesday night — their 11th win in a row, tying their franchise-record.
Even veterans Marcio Lassiter, Alex Cabagnot, and Arwind Santos shared the same sentiments that their 58-year-old mentor gave out, each pointing out that their focus is solely in the semis.
“I didn’t even know we won 11 straight honestly. I didn’t even know that. I feel like once you come in a new series, the streak pretty much doesn’t exist,” said Lassiter, who poured in 22 points in the win.
“I actually don’t think about the winning streak,” admitted Cabagnot.
“It’s the playoffs and it’s a different situation, different emphasis and different step on the line. We’re starting all over.”
Santos added that all of SMB — not just a handful of the players — are not aware of the fact that they have yet to lose in 69 days.
“Hindi namin napapansin yun kasi yun ang maganda sa team namin eh: nage-enjoy kasi kami, so yung bottom line at dahlian namin, alam na namin kung saan kami pupunta.
“Kahit sabihin mong hindi kami masyado nag-uusap [tungkol doon], pero yung goal namin [iisa]: ma-defend yung all Filipino,” the four-time PBA champion shared.
Looking back, San Miguel’s current streak started after bowing shockingly to the Phoenix Fuel Masters last November 2016. That seemed to be a wake-up call for them, as they then ended the eliminations with a nine-game streak.
The surge extended up until the playoffs, utilizing their twice-to-beat edge by beating Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in their quarterfinal affair. And on Wednesday night, the Beermen continued to roll.
This current onslaught of the Beermen only speaks volumes of their desire to claim the 2017 Philippine Cup crown. A championship this conference, moreover, would mark a three-peat, and the bagging of the Perpetual trophy.
However, Austria pointed out that the Beermen are not really aiming in stretching their winning streak, after all, and that their primary goal is to play to come triumphant at the end.
“We’re not after doon sa winning streak namin, but every game, we’re out there to win,” said Austria.
“That’s why I told the players na it’s habit-forming. Time will come na matatalo tayo, but we have to keep on fighting.”
