San Miguel Beer still remembers the sight of Indonesia celebrating last season’s championship on its homecourt.
The Beermen won’t have none of that nightmarish experience this time when they square off in a best-of-five series with the Warriors starting today for the Asean Basketball League (ABL) championship at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
“We’ve been looking forward to this championship (series),” said SMB coach Leo Austria. “Last year, we were embarrassed on our homecourt, so we’re raring to go.”
Game 1 fires off at 8 p.m.
“They’re better than they were last year,” Indonesia’s American coach Todd Purves said of the Beermen. “They have a huge frontcourt, they have depth, their wing players can shoot, they’re well rounded.”
Led by league MVP Asi Taulava, the Beermen topped the eliminations with a 19-3 slate—highlighted by a record 16-game run—before disposing of Sports Rev Thailand, 3-1, in the semifinals.
“Indonesia is a tough team to beat, they’ve been together for so long,” Austria said in a press conference yesterday at San Miguel Corp. headquarters. “We have better talent in our lineup, but it’s not a guarantee (of victory).”
Parading a virtually intact lineup from last year’s title run, Indonesia closed the eliminations with a 16-6 card, then swept Westports Malaysia, 3-0, in the semifinals.
“We never had an illusion we’re the most talented team in the ABL, but we rely on chemistry,” said Purves.
“We’re playing better basketball; we just have to stay focused,” said Indonesia’s star guard Stanley Pringle.
Austria hopes the Beermen would make the most out of their talented roster headed by Taulava, Chris Banchero, Leo Avenido and imports Brian Williams and Justin Williams.
“I have a very difficult time seeing any of the team sweep the other,” said ABL chief executive officer Anthony Macri. “They’re reasonably evenly matched.”