EYES on the hat-trick.
Defending champion San Miguel Beer overcame every challenge in the semifinals to move forward and seal its return to the finals of the 2017 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup.
The Beermen took on the difficult challenge put up by TNT KaTropa in their best-of-seven semifinal duel and eventually came out on top with a hard-earned victory in Game 7, 96-83, Wednesday night.
San Miguel Beer now looks ahead to its 37th finals appearance and is looking to win the All-Filipino jewel for the third straight season.
Before going to yet another war ahead in the biggest stage, Beermen coach Leo Austria is first giving his team a much needed time to recuperate.
“We’re very happy that we’re back in the finals after a really hard semis against Talk ‘N Text. We’re giving the entire team a day off on Tuesday and then we’ll be back on Wednesday and Thursday to prepare for the finals. We’ll enjoy and rest first before preparing again because everyone is fatigued. We need to be fresh again,” said Austria right after San Miguel wrapped up its bruising war against TNT in the semis.
The start of the best-of-seven championship series will be this Friday but as of this report, San Miguel is still awaiting its opponent and that can either be Barangay Ginebra or Star, who themselves are currently figuring in their own Game 7 as they dispute the last finals berth and the right to face the Beermen.
As far as Austria and his team are concerned, they’ll be ready for whoever they are set to face.
“It doesn’t matter which team prevails. Both Ginebra and Star are strong teams. We need to be prepared against either team,” said Austria.
The last team that was able to win the Philippine Cup three-in-a-row was no less than the Tropang Texters when they won the tournament from 2011-13.
The Beermen have the golden opportunity to equal that record should they emerge triumphant in the finals.
Three-time reigning Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo expressed his team’s readiness to pounce on yet another opportunity at tasting gory.
“Many teams want to be in this situation. We won’t waste our chance at being in this situation. We will give our all in the finals,” he said.
San Miguel defeated both Ginebra and Star in the elimination round.