With its PBA Philippine Cup win over Magnolia last week, San Miguel Beer cemented its place among the most dominant all-Filipino teams in league history.

It was almost as sweet as the Beermen’s historic Gland Slam campaign back in 1989.

Ato Agustin, now one of San Miguel’s assistant coaches, was part of that 3-peat team nearly 30 years ago.

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So what are the similarities between San Miguel’s two title-winning squads?

“Chemistry and camaraderie,” said Agustin, nicknamed the “Atom Bomb” in his heyday

“Maganda ang chemistry ng team na ito. Nag-mature na kasi ang mga player,” he added, referring to the current club.

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The former San Miguel shooting guard and 1-time MVP said it took this team years to develop the chemistry they have been enjoying these days.

“I think nag-start ito back 2015 noong nasa Ginebra pa ako (as coach) . . . Napapanood ako ng games nila,” he said. “Nakita ko ang pagkakaiba nila noon at ngayon. Parang nahinog na. ‘Yun pa rin naman ang core e, ‘yun pa rin ang lineup.”

He was referring to the likes of Alex Cabagnot, Chris Ross, Marcio Lassiter, June Mar Fajardo and Arwind Santos.

Agustin said chemistry was also what they had in the 1989 champion team.

“Nung nag-Grand Slam kami parang ganun din,” he said. “Kasi nu'ng pumasok ako noong 1989 'yun na 'yung group na 'yun. 1988 nananalo na sila, so pagpasok ko buo na ang chemistry nila.”

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Back then they had legends such as Ramon Fernandez, Samboy Lim, Alvin Teng, Hector Calma and Ricardo Brown.

Agustin said developing chemistry and closeness always takes time.

“Hindi biglaan ito, hindi pwedeng 'yung pagsalpak mo ng mga players mananalo na agad . . . Kelangan mag-mature, magkaalaman, at ‘yung samahan gumaganda talaga,” he said.

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