Magnolia import Tyler Bey during Game 5 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals against San Miguel.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Facing elimination, Tyler Bey still likes Magnolia’s chances heading into Game 6 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals on Wednesday.
Despite dropping the pivotal Game 5 to San Miguel Beer, 108-98, Bey believes a championship remains winnable for the Hothosts and beating the Beermen twice in a row is possible as what they have shown in Games 3 and 4.
“No pressure. We just have to come out, do what we did last two games before this one. I feel good about this conference. I mean, we came down 0-2, we can do it again, we can win two more games. Why not? We’re a great team,” said Bey after Sunday’s loss.
“I don’t feel like our backs are against the wall. Obviously, we’re down one. They got one more to go but I believe in this team, I believe in the coaching staff, and I believe in myself so we’re pretty comfortable.”
Magnolia Hotshots during Game 5 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Bey dropped a game-high 34 points with eight rebounds and three steals to follow up his 26-point, 12-rebound performance in a Game 4 victory on Friday.
“It’s very frustrating. To come up, down six, down 14 and then, they go right back up. I just kept my composure and made sure my teammates knew I got their back. Tonight they got mine. We just got to adjust. Nothing too crazy,” said Bey.
“We got one more chance. We have to take advantage of that chance and every opportunity we get.”
Bey thinks Magnolia’s hopes of coming back from the Finals depend on the Hotshots’ effort on the defensive end after allowing Beermen guard Jericho Cruz to erupt for a career-high tying 30 points built on eight 3-pointers.
“We lost. We just have to take things personal. We can’t just let guys go off for 30. We have to respect everybody on their team and they’re [already] a great team. I just feel like we didn’t respect them today, and that’s our problem,” explained Bey.
The Hotshots look to force a decider on Wednesday at the same venue.