Austria ‘worried’ about San Miguel’s long break heading into Finals tiff with Alaska

MANILA, Philippines — San Miguel Beer has been worry free as of late after sweeping Talk ‘N Text in the semifinals. But the extended break heading into the 2015 PBA Philippine Cup Finals has the Beermen head coach Leo Austria concerned over his players physical and mental shape.

“What I’m worried about is our long layoff,” Austria said during the Finals presser Monday at Sambokojin in Eastwood City in Libis, Quezon City. “Our opponent is in fighting condition.”  It gave us time to prepare but we didn’t know who to prepare for until last night and today is only the start of our preparation for Alaska.”

San Miguel Beer last saw action on December 26 when it completed a four-game sweep of the Tropang Texters while Alaska is fresh off a scintillating win over Rain or Shine last Sunday.

Alaska head coach Alex Compton though, thinks otherwise.

“I doubt they will be rusty in Game 1. If anything, they’re well-rested and ready for us.”

Alaska beat San Miguel Beer in the single round elimination — one of the Beermen’s two losses so far in the conference. The Aces dragged the Beermen into a low-scoring affair and won, 66-63, in a game that Compton thinks is “irrelevant” now as both teams meet again two months later in an even bigger stage in the Finals.

“They had a bunch of injuries so there were some guys who didn’t play for them,” said Compton. “I don’t want to take anything away from my players, their effort was great but they weren’t full strength when they played us.”

“And it was early in the season and I don’t know how long June Mar (Fajardo) had been practicing so it’s kind of like they were just working their way through and we’ve been practicing for two months,” he added. “That game, I’m glad we won because it helped us get the three seed but it’s done now and I find it so irrelevant now in this series and we’re going to have to come up with new ways to beat them.”

Game 1 of the Finals begins on Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Alaska hasn’t won an all-Filipino title since 2000 while San Miguel Beer’s last PH Cup championship was in 2001.

“Winning Game 1 is very important because it will boost the players’ confidence and morale. And maybe even dictate the series,” Austria said.