Chris Ross vs Chris Banchero. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Despite the limited minutes played by June Mar Fajardo, San Miguel coach Leo Austria can take solace in Chris Ross’ performance in the 2016 Smart Bro PBA Philippine Cup Finals series.
Ross has been doing the little things—intercepting passing lanes, hounding playmakers, and providing the spark to lift the desperate Beermen squad keep their title defense hopes alive.
Though it may not show in the stat sheets, Ross has truly been the difference maker for San Miguel.
“It’s the championship. Our backs are against the wall, so just go all-out. No need to hold anything back, got to leave everything on the floor,” he said. “If I can get my teammates to follow my lead, my energy rub off on them, I think we’ll be in a good spot.”
Ross admits that compared with the first three games where they ultimately faltered, it was Beermen’s composure in clutch that spelled the difference in the last two games.
“We’re just making plays in the end. It’s kind of the same in Game 4. We just showed our resolve and championship experience in overtime. We got stops and easy baskets,” he said.
It also doesn’t hurt that Fajardo was in the building on those victories, and even played Game 5 on Wednesday.
“Having the big fellow is a big boost for us,” said Ross. “He’s the MVP. He gives us hope. He’s the best player in the country. He’s soft-hearted.”
The guard shared that the Cebuano giant event apologized to the team that he couldn’t come out and help them as they faced a seemingly-insurmountable 0-3 deficit.
“After the first three losses that we had, the first text we got in our group chat was June Mar saying, ‘Sorry guys. I’m hurting here and I want to play so bad. But you guys are doing great, doing amazing.’ It just shows you what type of guy he is. For us to get him back in the building, in practice, and in the game, it shows what type of family atmosphere we built.”
However, it would take need a Herculean effort in the next two games for San Miguel to complete the “beer-acle” it is gunning for.
No team has forced a Game 7 after going down on a 0-3 hole. Alaska was the closest to achieve such feat back in the 1997 Commissioner’s Cup. But that dream run was ultimately foiled as Gordon’s Gin took Game 6 and snared the title, 4-2.
Though Ross acknowledges that history is not on the Beermen’s side, it won’t stop them from trying.
“There’s no time to be tired. We work so hard in the offseason and in practice. Fatigue is thrown out of the window,” he said. “We’re trying to extend the series again. There’s no time to be tired. We’ll just go out there and fight.”
Game 6 is on Friday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.