PBA: Back against the wall, San Miguel must stay focused says Jorge Gallent
San Miguel Beer coach Jorge Gallent. PBA IMAGES
ANTIPOLO CITY—Coach Jorge Gallent said the task will now be on trying to maintain San Miguel Beer’s focus despite being down 0-2 against Barangay Ginebra in their PBA Governors’ Cup semifinal series.
The Beermen were pushed on the brink of elimination following Sunday’s 121-103 loss at Ynares Center here, but Gallent is refusing to throw the white towel even if the odds are now against them.
“Their mindset should not be on being in vacation mode. That’s what is important,” Gallent told reporters.
San Miguel’s latest setback came after a comeback from a 21-point deficit went for naught and fell 121-112 to Ginebra in the opener two days prior.
Billed as a showdown between the champions of the season’s first two conferences, the Beermen have been outclassed by a Gin Kings that had almost everyone stepping up.
Import Cameron Clark and CJ Perez have tried to keep the Beermen in the thick of things, but to no avail.
Game 3 is set Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum, and Gallent is urging his team to take baby steps before thinking of a possible turnaround.
“We have to think of Game 3. We can’t think of what’s going to happen in Game 4 if we win Game 3, we got to win Game 3 and put a mindset that we’re not on vacation mode,” said Gallent.
“As long as there’s a chance, it’s my job to push them,” he added.
The Beermen have never been swept in a best-of-five playoff series.
