MANILA – Recently-crowned Philippine Cup champions San Miguel Beermen are not yet pressing the panic button despite lagging behind in the ongoing 2019 Honda PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
The Beermen are currently at 10th place in the standings with 2-5 win-loss slate following their heartbreaking 134-132 overtime loss to Columbian Dyip on Sunday evening.
Despite their current placing, Beermen veteran Arwind Santos said that they remained confident that they can make it to the quarterfinals round as the eighth seed with twice-to-win disadvantage.
“Hindi kami masaya sa 2-5. Kahit mapunta lang kami sa top eight,” Santos said. “Na-experience ko na mangarap ng mataas. Pangarapin naman namin ‘yung top eight tapos lalabanan namin ‘yung number one, twice-to-beat tapos tatalunin namin.”
The one-time PBA MVP awardee added: “Parang ganun na lang siguro. Doon muna kami magsimula. Huwag muna kami maghangad ng malaki. Doon muna kami sa maliit.”
Santos admitted that their defeat against the Dyip was a bitter pill to swallow as it was the second time that the franchise has defeated the powerhouse Beermen in the season.
“Sobrang lungkot sa dugout dahil akala namin nung na-shoot ko at nag-overtime, mananalo na kami. ‘Yun na. Parang ‘yun na ‘yung sign. Pero wala. Maganda rin linaro ng [Columbian],” he said.
“Pero masasabi ko doon, ‘yung laro namin, hindi pa talaga ganun na 100 percent. Ang sama ng depensa namin, ang taas ng score. Hindi ‘yun ‘yung San Miguel talaga,” he added.
Santos said the Beermen are definitely not giving up as they seek the best finish possible in the elimination round with still four games remaining on their schedule.
“Sana, hindi namin masabi sa mga natitirang games namin, makaka-catch-up pa kami. Ang magdadala na lang sa amin ‘yung pride namin, kung papayag kami na matatalo na lang sa mga natitira naming laro o lalaban pa kami,” Santos said./PN
