Stung by a heartbreaking loss in Game 1, the San Miguel Beermen flipped the script against the TNT Tropang 5G to move to within a win of ruling the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup.
The Beermen were able to erase a 24-point deficit in the series opener, but an offensive basketball interference call on a Mo Tautuaa dunk attempt spoiled their comeback bid as TNT eked out a 99-96 victory to draw first blood.
But since dropping Game 1, San Miguel has strung together three consecutive wins to move to the brink of the title.
In doing so, they also come closer to ending TNT’s Grand Slam hopes.
“The biggest impact is our first game — it fuels our grit. You can see naman sa mga players na in their eyes, makikita mo ‘yung fire. They want to win,” Beermen head coach Leo Austria said.
Jericho Cruz echoed Austria’s sentiments, though he stressed that they have already moved on from that controversial Game 1 affair.
Instead, they just regrouped and played as one in the succeeding games.
The veteran shooting guard stepped up in Game 4, erupting for 23 points on 5-of-7 shooting from downtown to help the Beermen pull away late en route to a 105-91 romp on Sunday, July 20.
“Sayang ‘yung pagkatalo namin nun kasi akala namin we have a chance to win the game, ayun nga lang, na-minus ‘yung points at natalo kami pero tapos na ‘yun eh. Naka-move on na kami dun,” Cruz shared.
“Tulad ng sinasabi ni coach, paglaro namin talagang put in your head na parang every game is your last game. Kaya ako, specifically sinasabihan ni Boss Al, na laruin ko lang ‘yung laro ko. Let it be.”
Cruz’s display also proved the depth of San Miguel as the likes of Don Trollano, Jeron Teng, Juami Tiongson, and Rodney Brondial gave the Beermen a huge lift against an injury-riddled TNT.
Aside from Cruz’s game-high output, Trollano chipped in 11 points in Game 4 while also grabbing six rebounds, three assists and three steals.
“Stepping up lang naman ‘yung ginagawa ko. Kumbaga kung panget ‘yun or ‘di masyadong nilalaro ng first group, nandito kami ni Don to step up sa second group,” Cruz added.
“‘Yun lang ‘yung ginagawa namin. Binibigyan din namin sila ng motivation. Gusto ko rin mag-thank you kay coach dahil sa tiwala na binibigay niya sa akin, hanggang ngayon meron pa rin.” (GMA Integrated News)