Limping Smith warns: Texters ‘3 steps closer’

Game today (Smart Araneta Coliseum)

7 p.m. – San Miguel vs TNT KaTropa

MANILA, Philippines - After his heroic stand and a hero’s role in the end, import Josh Smith is more determined to push Talk N Text closer to the championship as the KaTropa Texters go for win No. 2 against the San Miguel Beermen in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum tonight.

And the Beermen know in their heart that it is the Texters’ import with a hobble that caused them trouble.

Smith endured a grinding duel with SMB center June Mar Fajardo as he provided an imposing presence within that inspired the Texters’ efficient outside shooting as they took Game One of their best-of-seven series, 104-102, on the import’s last-gasp baby hook.

“We’re the first team to get the first win so we’re three steps closer,” said the wide-bodied Smith ahead of their 7 p.m. clash.

“As much as it is easy for me to pack up my stuff and leave, I wanna keep playing,” added Smith.

Though playing on one good foot, the former Georgetown Hoya proved to be San Miguel’s huge problem Wednesday night with his unstoppable post attacks.

He drew much attention at the post, thus, opening the perimeter for their shooters Jayson Castro, RR Pogoy, RR Garcia and Anthony Semerad.

“He’s the problem in our defense,” said San Miguel coach Leo Austria, hopeful though that they can make the adjustments to contain the TNT import in the next games.

“We had a hard time preparing (for Game One) because we didn’t know who would be their import. Now that we know, we can devise a defense to limit him and of course their perimeter shooters,” Austria pointed out.

The Beermen were disappointed but not disheartened by their Game One loss.

“We fought hard but we came up short because of Smith’s last shot. The breaks didn’t go our way,” Austria said.

The four-time champion coach also mentioned their woeful shooting and their numerous turnovers.

“Maasim (sour),” said Austria of their 6-of-29 three-point shooting. “We couldn’t get the ball to our big men because we’re not making our outside shots. We should concentrate on post offense. We’ve won a lot of games on that.”

Their best shooter Marcio Lassiter was 0-of-6, Chris Ross was 0-of-4 while Arwind Santos was 0-of-1.

Curiously, Yancy de Ocampo nailed two treys in four tries – obviously an SMB ploy to draw Smith out of the paint. But De Ocampo, with his lean frame, yielded much to Smith on the defensive end.

The Beermen won the rebounding battle, 58-52, but turned the ball over 23 times, six more than those of the Texters.

“It’s crucial. Imagine, just in the first half, they had produced 19 points from our turnovers,” rued Austria.

TNT coach Nash Racela said they have to be ready for San Miguel’s adjustments.