‘Better’ San Miguel, Indonesia cross paths anew in ABL finals

MANILA, Philippines — San Miguel and Indonesia, unsurprisingly, are set to square off in the Asean Basketball League (ABL) for the second straight year in the finals.

While it’s a familiar match-up, head coaches of both squads are convinced the team they’re facing on Friday are different — if not, even better than last year’s.

For the Beermen, they’re hardly the same squad from their maiden year in the league. From the head coach, the core, down to the import and role players, it’s basically a new team.

And this San Miguel bunch — which won an unprecedented 16th straight en route to the playoffs — might give Indonesia an even harder time than the last.

“I think this team is better than we were last year,” said Indonesia coach Todd Purves on Thursday in the pre-finals press conference at the San Miguel Corp. main office in Pasig.

“From an outsider, the chemistry and unselfishness plays a big part in that.”

The Warriors disposed of Malaysia in three games in the semifinals to set-up a meeting with San Miguel, who then finished off Thailand in four .

“I’d be lying if I said we didn’t expect to be in the playoffs and hopefully to face the top team in our league and that’s San Miguel Beermen,” said the eloquent Purves.

Indonesia escaped San Miguel in full three games last year, winning the crown away from its homecourt. This year, it could be decided in five.

The Beermen have the homecourt edge anew, hoping to protect it in game one as they clash on Friday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig at 8 p.m.

“Game one is very pivotal. It’s very important. We cannot afford to lose game one,” said head coach Leo Austria, who assumed coaching reins this season after the late Bobby Parks.

Austria has a chance to write a different ending from last year’s, armed with a deep rotation from their bigs, including league MVP Asi Taulava, and the wingmen

But the veteran tactician is wary of the Warriors’ chemistry, which has developed dating back to last season with just a few tweaks in the line-up and its deadly back court still intact.

“Indonesia, they’re the top team to beat. They’ve been together for so long while we only formed [this Beermen] last November,” said Austria.

“We may have better talent on our line up, but it’s not a guarantee because the championship series is entirely different,” he added.

Austria admitted, though, that just like last year, the Beermen will keep a special eye on guard Stanley Pringle — who has been bane of their bid since his joined the league.

“He’s really our problem. He’s the reason why Indonesia won the championship last year. He’s one of the best players I’ve ever seen in his position,”

The lightning quick Fil-American guard, though, is not only the Beermen’s concern.

“He’s not the only player of Indonesia, they have two imports, they have Jerick Cañada, Mario Wuysang. They’re a better team right now than before. We have to stop them as a team.”