San Miguel Beermen. PBA IMAGES
San Miguel’s prized center on Friday admitted the Beermen somewhat eased off the aggression in their lone game in the quarterfinals against NLEX at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Defending two-time MVP June Mar Fajardo said the reigning Governors’ Cup champions relaxed when they ended the first half with a 15-point lead, 63-48.
“Medyo [nag-relax]. Buti nanalo,” said Fajardo after San Miguel edged out NLEX 114-110 to advance to the semifinals.
READ: San Miguel eliminates NLEX for PBA Govs’ Cup semis berth
“Nag-depensa na lang and kailangan kasi namin i-double si Henry [Walker], grabe shooting niya.”
Beermen head coach Leo Austria said his team had the tendency to relax when they get a big lead, something the Road Warriors took advantage of in the second half when they outscored San Miguel 34-23 in the third quarter.
San Miguel had a 112-105 lead with just 22 seconds remaining but NLEX managed to score five unanswered before Elijah Millsap iced the game for the Beermen hitting two free throws at the last two seconds of the game.
Fajardo said the team couldn’t allow such mishaps in the semifinals, where they will face either Ginebra or Alaska.
“Pahirap na nang pahirap yan, sobrang lakas din ng ibang teams, kailangan pag-igihan pa,” said Fajardo.”