MANILA, Philippines — San Miguel didn’t have the luxury of time when it prepared for its seven-game series against TNT in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Beermen had just one day in between Game 1 against TNT in the finals and Game 4 of the semifinals against Rain or Shine, which San Miguel won 98-95 on Friday.
TNT, meanwhile, had two days to prepare for the Beermen after it trumped Barangay Ginebra 103-92 in Game 4 of its own semifinals series.
It may be only a one-day difference in preparation but TNT already had a head start before the championship round, and that leeway allowed the KaTropa to have fresher legs and take Game 1 109-96.
Fatigued or not, San Miguel forward Chris McCullough said that having a short preparation time for the finals is not an excuse for the loss.
“That’s not an excuse, the loss is on our part,” said McCullough. “We’re the players, we got to out there and do our jobs.”
“We go to practice tomorrow and prepare for Game 2 mentally, get our bodies right, and get our game plan together.”
San Miguel had a decent start to the game trading baskets with TNT and even taking a 19-17 lead with 4:06 left in the first quarter but that was only a precursor to what the KaTropa was about to do next.
TNT went on an electrifying 20-0 run across the first two quarters with Terrence Jones converting on a driving layup for the 37-19 lead 16 seconds into the second period.
That run was early but it already dictated the match’s outcome.
McCullough added that the Beermen should’ve had a better job in the glass after they allowed TNT 18 offensive rebounds, while they grabbed 14, that got turned into 26 second-chance points.
“Offensive rebounding definitely was an issue,” said McCullough who finished with 33 points and 15 rebounds, three under the offensive glass. “I didn’t rebound as much as I would’ve, but as a team, we all need to rebound.”
McCullough also didn’t fret too much after the loss.
“I mean it’s Game 1, this is best-of-seven, there’s a lot of basketball to be played. We’re going to come out ready for next game.”
/atm