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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Beermen hope to build on Game 4 win in finals

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NEVER ever underestimate the heart of a champion.

That’s the famous saying of former Houston Rockets’ coach Rudy Tomjanovich referring to his championship squads in the mid-1990s—a saying that San Miguel Beer put into life as it refused to go down just when it seems that it was about to.

With Alaska on the brink of winning the 2015-16 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup championship in Game 4 of the finals last Sunday, the Beermen suddenly showed their championship heart as they flaunted a memorable fightback to prevent an Aces’ sweep and keep their title defense alive,

SMB’s Gabby Espinas secures the rebound, but is fouled by Alaska’s Calvin Abueva in Game 4 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals. The Beermen won, 110-104, to stay alive.

In gut-wrenching fashion, the defending champions came back from 11 points down late in regulation just when Alaska was on the cusp of ending its All-Filipino title drought.

The Beermen went on to take a 110-104 overtime victory to extend the best-of-seven titular series and make it 3-1, still in the favor of the Aces.

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In that game, Marcio Lassiter, Gabby Espinas and Chris Ross came up huge for the Beermen, producing on both ends of the floor to make sure SMB remained alive.

Lassiter scored a game-high 26 points, while Espinas was a monster down low, tallying a double-double of 21 points and 14 points before fouling out, while Ross was all over the place as he nearly had a triple-double with his 11 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists.

San Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria commended his players for playing their hearts out and refusing to bow down without a gallant stand.

‘’Our players didn’t give up. Nakita talaga natin ‘yung heart of a champion,’’ said Austria of his wards’ effort in Game 4. ‘’I am happy for it.’’

Austria added that his players didn’t want to just lay down and die as a sweep from Alaska just wasn’t acceptable for them.

‘’The players gladly accepted the challenge and they really didn’t want to get swept by Alaska,’’ he said. ‘’This is what we’re waiting for.’’

Alaska coach Alex Compton, who was disappointed with how his Aces closed Game 4 out, conceded that San Miguel Beer fought its heart out just to stay alive despite his squad being in the driver’s seat for most part of that said game.

‘’They (Beermen) fought hard. They deserved that win. It was a testament to their character,’’ said Compton.

Manuel led Alaska with 20 points and 13 rebounds in yet another solid effort for the Aces.

The Beermen still have a mountain to climb with a 1-3 deficit, but some life has been restored to their campaign and are looking to make the most out of it.

 

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