Ready for big comeback

At this point, San Miguel Beer should’ve learned its lessons from a wobbly elimination phase campaign and two hard-earned series victories in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup playoffs.

But it didn’t help their Game 1 cause that the Beermen found themselves collared by fatigue—mentally and physically—and a shortage in star power.

“We [were] surprised with what happened,” said Austria after a 109-96 beat-down handed by TNT in the opener of their championship duel, an outcome that hewed so close to the 110-97 rout San Miguel suffered at the hands of the KaTropa in the elimination round. “Physically and mentally, we [were] not ready yet.”

San Miguel, which makes a living overwhelming foes with its myriad scoring weapons, found itself at the mercy of a single man—TNT import Terrence Jones, whose all-around game enabled the rest of KaTropa to fire at will.

TNT put together a sensational 18-0 tear that had San Miguel, holder of the most titles in the PBA, including a rare Grand Slam in 1986, grasping for remedies early on.

And just like that, the Beermen will have to play Finals series against the KaTropa the way they they have played the entire conference: From behind.

“The problem was that they have Jones, who really took over,” Austria said, who had four guys—including bruiser Kelly Nabong and two-time Defensive Player of the Year Chris Ross—guarding the do-it-all NBA talent throughout the affair.

Adding to San Miguel’s woes is that it will continue missing shooter Marcio Lassiter, giving TNT’s defense one less scorer to worry about.

Jones will again be the focal point of San Miguel’s defense, but TNT’s active consultant Mark Dickel feels they have a lot more to offer as they shoot for a commanding lead when the hostilities resume at 7 p.m. at Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.

“I am well aware that they are a great team and are well-coached,” he told the Inquirer. “All of their players are capable of playing well, so for us, we will have to come ready.”

“We will get their best game in Game 2,” he said.

It is worth noting, though, that this is not uncharted territory for Austria, who hopes for a turnaround in the race-to-four series.

Austria and the Beermen have won five of the six PBA Finals series where they lost Game 1, which should help explain their relaxed demeanor.

Moreover, Austria will also be enjoying two games worth of recalibrating and regrouping.

“We were able to watch their games before, but that won’t be enough for us,” he said. “We know that TNT is really out there to win. It’s very evident from their games at the start of the conference—they are out there with lots of energy and intensity.”

“They [are on] a mission,” he said.