EJ Anosike of San Miguel Beer wants another crack at booting out Converge. —AUGUST DELA CRUZ
Converge coach Franco Atienza expects to face an “angry” San Miguel Beer team on Friday, when both squads clash in Game 4 of their PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals showdown.
He doesn’t know the half of it.
“We’re getting it done. That’s it,” the Beermen’s EJ Anosike told the Inquirer, deadpan.
SCHEDULE: 2024 PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals
The Nigerian-American import is coming off more than just the heartbreaking collapse in Game 3, where the FiberXers escaped with a 114-112 win on Monday on Alec Stockton’s buzzer-beating jumper after overcoming a 27-point deficit.
EASL loss
Two nights after that stinging defeat, the Beermen bowed to South Korea’s Suwon KT Sonicboom, 87-81, at Mall of Asia Arena to begin its international campaign in the East Asia Super League (EASL).
Those back-to-back defeats were Anosike’s only two losses with the Beermen since replacing Jordan Adams. And Converge knows exactly what San Miguel team they will be facing in the 7:30 p.m. showdown.
“We have to be ready against a San Miguel team who is angry and willing to get back at its loss,” Atienza said.
READ: San Miguel import relishes matchup vs former team Suwon
“We know and we are aware that San Miguel is gonna be a lot stronger,” he added. “They will … probably [be] even sharper come Friday, especially coming off a [Game 3] loss and coming off facing an international team.”
The way Anosike played against Suwon, his former team when he played in the Korean Basketball League in his professional stint in 2022, may spell trouble once more for Converge.
Anosike had 34 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals against the Sonicbooms.
Against Kings
He has posted 36.0 points by scoring mostly from inside, while still finding the consistency from the outside with five three-pointers already in his name. Anosike also has 9.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists in the series.
“[T]hat’s just the player I am: I go out there, compete night in and night out, and try to put my team in a position to win,” Anosike said. “I think in these playoffs, anything can happen. So there’s lessons to be learned. We got to be more disciplined to get the job done in the next game.”
“We can’t have opportunities slip. It’s the playoffs. Every game matters,” he added.
The winner of this quarterfinal pairing advances to the semifinals against Barangay Ginebra, which swept Meralco in their series.
Coach Tim Cone and Justin Brownlee were seen watching the EASL doubleheader, giving them a chance to scout San Miguel and Anosike.
A nephew of former Red Bull champion import Julius Nwosu, a cousin of La Salle reinforcement Henry Agunanne and good pals with No. 2 pick and Blackwater Sedrick Barefield, Anosike sure is well-connected with players who have been plying their trade here in the Philippines.
“I just think that I enjoy to be here in the Philippines—a beautiful country. I’m happy to experience this and also play basketball,” he said.