HISTORY or destiny?
Either way, there can only be one champion when San Miguel Beer and Alaska clash in a much-anticipated Game 7 decider of their best-of-seven 2015-16 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup showdown.
The two protagonists, who will head in fresher following a long four-day break, go at it one last time at 7 p.m. in an expected jam-packed Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, with the victor being crowned as the Philippine Cup king.
When Alaska jumpstarted to a commanding 3-0 lead to start the series, the Aces looked primed up to finish the Beermen off.
Instead, the stubborn defending champions dramatically fought their way back after being inspired by the return of superstar June Mar Fajardo since Game 5. They also capitalized on the improved production of their core to level the series at 3-3 as they moved on the cusp of history. If the Beermen win today, they will become the first team in history and possibly in all of sports to have come back from a 0-3 hole in a series en route to the title.
For Alaska coach Alex Compton, that means pressure for San Miguel Beer. Unlike what many people think that pressure might be on the Aces after a 3-0 start, Compton believes otherwise.
‘’I think the pressure is really on them,’’ said Compton. ‘’They’re the defending champions and they are chasing history.’’
While the Aces are looking to claim their 15th overall championship and end a long 16-year drought in the All-Filipino conference, San Miguel, the league’s winningest team and only pioneer squad left, aims for title No. 22 and a third crown in the last four conferences, on top of successfully defending the throne.
San Miguel Coach Leo Austria, despite the astounding feat of racking up three straight wins and forcing a deciding Game 7, stated that the Beermen have not yet achieved anything, but he is positive that they can have a good shot at writing history.
‘’We’ve achieved nothing yet at this point. It’s just a tied series and there’s Game 7 to decide it,’’ said Austria. ‘’Through our experiences from last season, we know how to win and hopefully we can continue showing our championship heart.’’
Austria then went on to remind everyone that all statistics and intangibles don’t count now and the only thing that matters for both teams is winning Game 7 and earning the coveted championship.
‘’Game 7 is a winner take all,’’ he said. ‘’Lahat ng mga stats nu’ng first few games will all go to waste na. Ilalabas na lahat ng parehong teams. ‘Importante din sa amin ang history kaya gagawin talaga namin lahat.”
Game Today
(Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay City)
7 p.m. – San Miguel vs. Alaska
