Close shave

Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Starting the season loaded with expectations, powerhouse San Miguel Beer is still far from the optimum shape that it wants to be in.

“We’re lucky to win this game,” said San Miguel coach Leo Austria, relieved but certainly dissatisfied with the Beermen’s come-from-behind 94-91 win over the lowly Mahindra Floodbuster in the PBA Philippine Cup Sunday night at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“Next time, we cannot afford [playing] like this.”

Austria’s frustration was quite understandable despite San Miguel’s third win in four games that gave them a share of the lead with Rain or Shine.

They’re the back-to-back defending champions and they were, after all, up against a team that had lost its first three games by an average of 18 points.

“We came from behind the last three games. Maybe because of the distractions and probably because of the lack of rest of some of the players,” said Austria.

June Mar Fajardo and Arwind Santos each played for almost 40 minutes, while Alex Cabagnot and Marcio Lassiter spent more time on the floor than usual.

But it was the logical thing to do for Austria as Fajardo clicked against Mahindra’s small frontline.

The reigning three-time MVP exploited every mismatch inside the paint and wound up with 28 points and 15 rebounds, his last eight points coming in the final three minutes when the Beermen tried to weather the Floodbuster’s finishing kick.

Those extended minutes also allowed Santos to reach a pair of milestones in one night. He became the 14th player in league history to grab 3,000 defensive rebounds and shares the accolade with Asi Taulava among active players.

Playing his 500th game, Santos also moved up 10th in the all-time shot-block list after swatting away six Mahindra shots to up his total to 631.

Trailing most of the way, the Beermen finally caught up with the Floodbusters and controlled the game late in the fourth, but the outcome was still in doubt until after Alex Mallari’s desperation three at the buzzer rimmed out.

Joseph Eriobu and Mallari were brilliant during Mahindra’s final run but still couldn’t help the Floodbusters from dropping to 0-4.

“Mahindra is a team you cannot underestimate because they’re looking for a win,” said Austria.

The Floodbusters defeated the Beermen a couple of times in their import-laced match-ups last season.

Meanwhile, La Salle’s Jeron Teng and San Beda’s Davon Potts, after leading their collegiate squads to championships, lead the list of applicants for the 2016 PBA D-League Draft.

The bluechip wingers banner the 128-man pool—113 locals and 15 half Filipinos—on Dec. 20 at PBA Cafe in Metrowalk, Pasig.