Chris Banchero drives past Jerick Canada. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/Asean Basketball League website
MANILA, Philippines — San Miguel head coach Leo Austria admitted that the injury to Indonesia’s Jerick Cañada early in the fourth period in Game 2 played a huge part in the Beermen’s 66-65 win over the Indonesia Warriors Sunday.
Cañada was playing his best game yet — unloading three of his four attempts from long range — before hurting his left knee as he was making his move on a fastbreak against counterpart Jeric Fortuna.
“It was a big factor in the game because he is a defensive player. He can contain our point guards especially Banchero.” Austria said of his former point guard with the Adamson Falcons in the UAAP.
“It’s unfortunate for him that he got injured. I hope it will not be serious because they need him and that player is working hard for this championship.”
The fleet-footed Cañada was a spark off the bench with 11 points, two rebounds and two steals in just 19 minutes and was successful at hounding San Miguel’s leading scorer Chris Banchero.
“Malaking bagay yung pagkawala ni Cañada, he was hitting his threes,” echoed Fortuna, who was also a boost off the bench with two triples and six rebounds.