Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
He’s not referred to as “Mr. Clutch” for nothing.
Alex Cabagnot took charge when San Miguel needed him most, firing seven points late to help the Beermen score a come-from-behind victory over the Star Hotshots on Sunday to open the 2017 PBA Philippine Cup.
“I’m glad that we pulled it off,” Cabagnot said, while defraying the credit and instead praising the big plays by June Mar Fajardo in the end game.
“June Mar played big as always – pulling rebounds, and-ones, and getting stops. We got the right stops at the right time, so good for us.”
Though unhappy with the way the Beermen unraveled in the third, Cabagnot was pleased that this early, the Beermen are showing character after fighting back from a nine-point deficit early in the fourth quarter.
“Losing the lead in the third quarter was, I don’t want to say disheartening, but it’s something we have to go and fix,” he said.
“I’m glad that we fixed it. I’m glad that we put it together as a team. I think we have a great resolve and we came out today. I’m very proud of my teammates.”
Cabagnot believes San Miguel still has a lot of room to grow due to the injuries the team has faced during the offseason.
“We really haven’t been practicing as a whole because I was gone and some guys were hurt,” he said.
But Cabagnot knows it really won’t take long as the Beermen look forward to staying at the top this season.
“It’s a long season. It’s going to span until next October, so we will take our time. Overall, I’m just happy that we got a win in my 12th year.”