Austria hoping break got San Miguel back to full strength

San Miguel Beermen during Game 4 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Injuries to its key players were too much for San Miguel Beer to overcome as it fell short in its campaign in the 2016 Commissioner’s Cup.

But with an extended break before the new conference starts, the Beermen hope to be at their full strength and rejuvenated in their bid to defend their crown.

“I’m hoping that will be the case,” SMB head coach Leo Austria told INQUIRER.net on Saturday.

San Miguel Beer was the No. 1 team heading into the Commissioner’s Cup playoffs but against a tough matchup in Rain or Shine in the semifinals coupled with an ailing roster, the Beermen were sent into an early exit.

Austria said the team hasn’t practiced since getting eliminated in Game 4 of its best-of-five series with the Elasto Painters on Labor Day.

“Simula nung kami naghiwahiwalay kami, hindi pa kami nagkikita kita. We will resume practice on June 6 to give them enough time to recuperate,” he said. “For so long, ang haba ng laro namin and we only had limited time to rest.”

Import Arizona Reid, who arrived Friday, will be with San Miguel on Monday when the team resumes training.

The Beermen, however, won’t have Chris Ross, Alex Cabagnot, Marcio Lassiter and June Mar Fajardo, as per Austria.

Ross is scheduled to have his hurting wrist checked on Tuesday, Cabagnot is in the US for the wedding of his step brother while Lassiter and Fajardo are committed to the national team.

Austria said the Beermen will be extra motivated in the Governors’ Cup, which starts on July 15, after the team failed to keep their hopes of pulling off a Grand Slam alive.

“Every conference naman is a motivation for them. They know that this is their era and this is an opportunity for them to win again. Talagang nanghihinayang ang mga players na hindi sila nanalo last conference and the next conference is a chance for them to get back.”