San Miguel coach Jorge Gallent and the Beermen in the PBA Philippine Cup. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
As much as they have proven to be heads and shoulders above everyone else at this point of the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals, coach Jorge Gallent insists that his San Miguel Beermen can’t take any shortcuts in the process of trying to beat Rain or Shine.
“There’s nothing to celebrate, unless we get [win] No. 4,” Gallent said as the Beermen look to gain a commanding 3-0 lead at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday as their best-of-seven series heads to Dasmariñas, Cavite.
Meralco and Barangay Ginebra break their 1-1 tie at 7:30 p.m. at the new Dasmariñas Arena to cap off the league’s first set of games in Cavite since 2007.
READ: PBA: No complacency for San Miguel despite 2-0 semis lead
Gallent has always talked about the steps the Beermen have to take in their goal of fulfilling their ultimate mission of adding another championship that would complete a sweep of the two-conference season.
Observing how it has played through the first two games, San Miguel seems well on its way to reaching the Finals, with PBA Press Corps Player of the Week June Mar Fajardo imposing his dominance.
Big difference
Fajardo’s 18 third quarter points allowed San Miguel to break the game open and take down Rain or Shine, 106-89, three nights earlier at Mall of Asia Arena.
“The Big Boy,” as Gallent calls Fajardo, will again be the focal point of the Beermen offense, which will be crucial if they want to put a stranglehold on the best-of-seven affair.“This is the third step,” said Gallent.
“First, it was the eliminations, second the quarterfinals, and this [semis] is the third step. And it’s not over yet.“We need to have four [wins] to finish this step,” he added.
Gallent gave simple reasons for San Miguel to remain on its toes against a Rain or Shine side that showed flashes that it can produce at least one win if the door opens.