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[av_heading heading=’ BUZZER BEATER San Miguel Beermen unfazed’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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GRAND Slam-seeking San Miguel Beermen remains optimistic despite facing a twice-to-win disadvantage against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings in the quarterfinals of the 2017 PBA Governors’ Cup.
Beermen head coach Leo Austria said they are still hopeful they can score two straight victories against their sister team to at least move on to the best-of-five semifinals phase.
Beermen slid to as low as sixth place in the quarterfinals following its heartbreaking 104-101 defeat to Meralco Bolts on Sunday night that denied it the twice-to-beat incentive in the playoffs.
“Twice-to-beat (disadvantage), nandito naman kami noon e. Maraming beses na nangyari sa amin iyan,” said Austria. “0-3 na kami dati, nanalo pa kami (ng championship). This time, we’ll try again.”
“We need two wins to get into the semis. Iyong inaasam namin na mag-champion this conference at iyong Grand Slam, nandoon pa rin naman e,” added the five-time PBA champion coach.
Beermen was down 0-3 to Alaska Aces in the best-of-seven championship series last season when it went on to win four straight games to bag the Philippine Cup championship.
“We know that we have done that before, but we need to step up dahil this is a different situation right now,” said Austria. “Kailangan namin ma-sustain iyong energy namin dahil we’re up against Ginebra. Alam naman natin iyong crowd e nandyan always for them.”
If ever Beermen manages to force a do-or-die game against the defending champion Kings in their encounter tonight at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, the face-off will be held on Friday.
Anthony Washington feels helpless for being unable to play for Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, which will face No. 2 seed TNT KaTropa in the quarterfinals round tonight.
The Filipino-American forward managed to play one game for Painters in the season-ending conference after suffering from a torn hamstring injury right on their very first game against GlobalPort Batang Pier.
Washington, 35, was aiming to return to the playoffs but TNT head coach Carlos Garcia said the former top overall pick is not yet ready to play.
“JWash is now out for the conference. That’s why we were forced to a trade since we need somebody who can help us in rebounding play which is Mark Borboran,” said Garcia.
Washington, whose contract with KaTropa is set to expire by the end of season, rued the bad timing of his injury but won’t force himself to play since any aggravation will not be good for his career.
“It’s really bad timing. I’ve never been in this situation before, especially with contract stuff. But that’s the way it is sometimes,” he said. “If I come back too early, it might get worse. I just want to play it safe and think the best for my career.”/PN
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