By REYNALD MAGALLON
San Miguel isn’t one to let the chance to finally book a spot in the finals slip away from its hand although head coach Leo Austria knew it would be easier said than done with Ginebra’s ‘Never-Say-Die’ attitude.
The Beermen try to go for the jugular in Game 6 of their best-of-seven semifinals series against the Gin Kings in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Sunday, July 6.
Tip-off of the clash is at 5 p.m. with SMB looking to advance to its third straight all-Filipino conference Finals.
TNT also aims to do the same after failing on their first try in dispatching Rain or Shine in the pivotal Game 6 of their own semis series in the second game at 7:30 p.m.
The SMB coach has been through many series in the past and he knew full well that the closeout games are always the hardest – all the more against a Ginebra team which seemingly becomes stronger when its backs are against the wall.
“This team Ginebra you cannot count them out right away because alam natin yung kanilang puso yung never-say-die,” said Austria after the Beermen notched the first back-to-back wins in the series, allowing them to take the lead, 3-2.
“Expect natin next game, it will be a hard game for both of us. We have a chance to close out the series but I’m sure it’s not easy to get that win,” he added.
The Beermen did work for the 103-92 win especially after a lethargic start to the contest when they only mustered 12 points in the opening frame. Jericho Cruz and CJ Perez picked up the slack and rallied SMB back to the contest.
Cruz had 27 points off the bench while Perez fired 31 – a pair of offensive explosions Ginebra found little to no answer against.
Also out to finish off their foes are the Tropang 5G who are welcoming head coach Chot Reyes back in the fold.
The outspoken mentor served his suspension in Game 5 after getting called for his fifth technical foul the game prior. His absence, along with the injuries to RR Pogoy and Kelly Williams, opened a window of opportunity to which the Elasto Painters pounced on to hack out a 113-97 win.
However, Rain or Shine, which got over the hump when it finally notch a second victory against TNT for the first time in their three semis series, is surely eager to force a deciding Game 7.
