Coach praises San Miguel for 'playing like an orchestra' | ABS-CBN
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Coach praises San Miguel for 'playing like an orchestra'
Coach praises San Miguel for 'playing like an orchestra'
Camille B. Naredo,
ABS-CBN News
Published Feb 09, 2017 12:14 PM PHT
MANILA, Philippines – San Miguel coach Leo Austria knows better than anyone that the Beermen's run of 11 consecutive victories will come to an end at some point, but for now, he is enjoying his team's impressive performances in the 2017 PBA Philippine Cup.
MANILA, Philippines – San Miguel coach Leo Austria knows better than anyone that the Beermen's run of 11 consecutive victories will come to an end at some point, but for now, he is enjoying his team's impressive performances in the 2017 PBA Philippine Cup.
San Miguel tied the franchise record for the longest win streak on Wednesday with a 111-98 rout of TNT KaTropa in Game 1 of their best-of-seven semifinals series. Five players scored in double-digits for the Beermen, and they set the tone of the game with a 32-16 first quarter.
San Miguel tied the franchise record for the longest win streak on Wednesday with a 111-98 rout of TNT KaTropa in Game 1 of their best-of-seven semifinals series. Five players scored in double-digits for the Beermen, and they set the tone of the game with a 32-16 first quarter.
According to Austria, he told his players, "Time will come na matatalo tayo, but we have to keep on fighting."
According to Austria, he told his players, "Time will come na matatalo tayo, but we have to keep on fighting."
"I'm happy to see them na 'yung mga players ay nage-enjoy sa game," he added. "Makikita mo eh."
"I'm happy to see them na 'yung mga players ay nage-enjoy sa game," he added. "Makikita mo eh."
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The Beermen have plenty of reasons to enjoy during their winning streak. They've won in dominant fashion, and they've won nip-and-tuck games as well.
The Beermen have plenty of reasons to enjoy during their winning streak. They've won in dominant fashion, and they've won nip-and-tuck games as well.
Through it all, several players have had their shining moments – from JuneMar Fajardo's consistent dominance, to Alex Cabagnot living up to his "Crunchman" nickname in games against Rain or Shine and TNT, to RR Garcia's explosion off the bench against Rain or Shine in the quarterfinals, and to Marcio Lassiter torching the KaTropa in the first quarter of Game 1.
Through it all, several players have had their shining moments – from JuneMar Fajardo's consistent dominance, to Alex Cabagnot living up to his "Crunchman" nickname in games against Rain or Shine and TNT, to RR Garcia's explosion off the bench against Rain or Shine in the quarterfinals, and to Marcio Lassiter torching the KaTropa in the first quarter of Game 1.
"They are playing like an orchestra," Austria said of his team. "Alam na alam na nila ang gagawin ng bawat isa, at kanya-kanyang roles sila."
"They are playing like an orchestra," Austria said of his team. "Alam na alam na nila ang gagawin ng bawat isa, at kanya-kanyang roles sila."
San Miguel has won three championships in the past six conferences with virtually the same core of players, and Austria said they have a winning habit that should serve them well as they try to defend their All-Filipino Cup crown.
San Miguel has won three championships in the past six conferences with virtually the same core of players, and Austria said they have a winning habit that should serve them well as they try to defend their All-Filipino Cup crown.
"They know how to win, and they understand how to win," said the coach. "I keep on telling them, 'You have the freedom to do whatever you want, for as long as you are in control of the game. Alam ko naman na lahat kayo, gusto manalo'."
"They know how to win, and they understand how to win," said the coach. "I keep on telling them, 'You have the freedom to do whatever you want, for as long as you are in control of the game. Alam ko naman na lahat kayo, gusto manalo'."
"So, run the show," he told his players.
"So, run the show," he told his players.
Running the show is something that the San Miguel players have no problem doing, and on Wednesday against TNT, they showed the strength of their roster's talent.
Running the show is something that the San Miguel players have no problem doing, and on Wednesday against TNT, they showed the strength of their roster's talent.
"I just felt like our team came out strong, came out with an edge, and we came out to be aggressive," said Lassiter, who finished with 22 points – 12 of which came in the opening quarter.
"I just felt like our team came out strong, came out with an edge, and we came out to be aggressive," said Lassiter, who finished with 22 points – 12 of which came in the opening quarter.
"We came out strong early, and forced our strengths on the other team. It kind of clicked on both ends, offensively and defensively," he added.
"We came out strong early, and forced our strengths on the other team. It kind of clicked on both ends, offensively and defensively," he added.
The Beermen will try to do the same thing on Friday, when they play TNT in Game 2.
The Beermen will try to do the same thing on Friday, when they play TNT in Game 2.
"It's not going to be easy," Lassiter said of Game 2. "I know this series is going to be very hard. There are two great teams, and it's going to be close, nail-biting. We just got to execute, and tonight, we were able to do that."
"It's not going to be easy," Lassiter said of Game 2. "I know this series is going to be very hard. There are two great teams, and it's going to be close, nail-biting. We just got to execute, and tonight, we were able to do that."
(For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.)
(For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.)
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