San Miguel reresbak

MANILA, Philippines - Matapos maiwanan 2-1 sa serye, para kay three-time MVP June Mar Fajardo isa nang do-or-die battle sa defending champion San Miguel Beermen ang kanilang muling pagtatagpo laban sa Talk ‘N Text KaTropa sa Game 4 ng best-of-seven semifinal series ng 42nd PBA Philippine Cup ngayong alas-7 ng gabi sa Mall of Asia Arena ng Pasay City.

“It’s a must win for us now because it’s going to be difficult for our team if we will be behind, 1-3. We have to win now, there’s no other way but win Game 4,” sabi ng 6’10 center Fajardo.

Umiskor ang rookie na si Roger Pogoy ng 22 points sa 6-of-11 accuracy mula sa three-point zone, habang 24 markers naman sa beteranong si Ranidel de Ocampo sa kanilang 98-92 panalo laban sa Beermen noong Linggo upang iangat ang KaTropa sa 2-1 bentahe sa mahabang serye.

Nagwagi rin sila sa Game Two, 87-85, no­ong Biyernes  upang ma­kaganti sa 98-111 pagka­talo sa opening game no­ong Miyerkules.

Marami na ring beses na naiwanan ang Beermen sa best-of-seven se­ries ngunit nagawa pa rin nilang bumangon at nagwagi sa huling laban. Isa na rito ang kanilang 0-3 deficit kontra sa Alaska sa Finals ng All-Filipino Cup nakaraang taon na tinatawag ng  ‘the greatest comeback.’

“It’s just 2-1. Again, we’ve been in every position that you can think of, and the locker room’s good. We’re a veteran team, we’ve won championships together, and we’ll just figure it out,” he said. “We’re not down. We’re ready for Game 4,” ayon naman kay San Miguel guard Chris Ross.

“We’ve been in e­very situation. We’ve been down 0-3, we’ve been  down 3-1, we’ve been down 2-1 last time with Rain or Shine, so we’ve been in every predicament you can think of.  We know what type of team we are and we know what we can do. We’ll just look at the tape  and adjust,” dagdag ni Ross.

Inaasahan namang ma­nanatiling matatag ang tropa ni coach Nash Racela kahit ano pa mang adjustments ang gagawin ni Beermen coach Leo Austria sa Game 4.

“I think its our defense that did the difference for us. We were surprised by the adjustment made by coach Leo Austria in Game 3. Buti na lang naagapan pa rin namin,” sabi ni Racela.