San Miguel not looking too far ahead

PLAYERS, officials and supporters of the San Miguel Beermen celebrate after receiving the Philippine Cup at Mall of Asia Arena. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

After writing the greatest comeback on the pages of PBA history on Wednesday night, San Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria and his Beermen are looking ahead—and they are doing so with a lot of caution.

An epic comeback from 0-3 down in the best-of-seven title series for the Smart Bro-Philippine Cup ensured that this batch of Beermen will go unforgotten in the league. But with this immortal greatness, Austria believes, comes great responsibility.

“We’ve learned our lesson from last year,” Austria told reporters after the celebration on the Mall of Asia Arena floor died down.

“We relaxed for one year. I hope we have changed for the better.”

Austria was referring to their dismal performance in last season’s Commissioner’s Cup, when they bombed out early after clinching the all-Filipino also in seven games, also against the Alaska Aces.

“Grand Slam? It’s too early to talk about that,” Austria said. “What’s important is that we’re the only team who has that shot, but we wouldn’t like to look that far. We want to look at the tournament (Commissioner’s Cup) that’s in front of us.”

The Beermen plunge back to work on Monday, just four days after completing that “beer-aculous” comeback. They want to stay sharp and avoid the bum start they had last year that eventually spelled their doom.

The Commissioner’s Cup will get off the ground on Feb. 10, though San Miguel and Alaska will not be playing until a few days later. The Beermen and the Aces join 11 teams that are allowed imports of up to 6-foot-9. Only the Mahindra Enforcers will be given the chance to sign an import of unlimited height after finishing last in the Philippine Cup.

Austria is not taking the same risks he took last year and brought in import Tyler Wilkerson way ahead of opening day to get the reinforcement acclimatized here and accustomed to the San Miguel brand of play.

“After winning the all-Filipino, and now that we also have an import, the chances are there (to win the Commissioner’s Cup),” Austria said. “Being 0-3 down (in the title series), we have developed our character. And we can use that.”

One important thing is that reigning two-time MVP June Mar Fajardo will be able to get healthier during the course of the next conference and make a solid run at a third straight MVP.

Fajardo’s injury forced Austria to explore big man options and he was pleasantly surprised that guys like Yancy de Ocampo have it in them to step up and deserve more minutes.

Even with a healthy Fajardo, Austria now has the confidence to sit his star player for longer minutes.