SMB's Austria rues wasting strong start in Game 3

MANILA, Philippines — The San Miguel Beermen had a rousing start against the TNT KaTropa in Game Three of the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals on Friday.

With Terrence Jones on the bench after getting slapped with a Flagrant 1, SMB pounced on TNT.

By the end of the first quarter, they held a 33-18 lead.

But a seven-minute dry spell in the second quarter all but gave away the game to TNT, with the KaTropa going on an unanswered 24-0 scoring rampage.

SMB coach Leo Austria couldn't help but get frustrated.

"Napabayaan namin yung lead namin nung first quarter," Austria said after the game.

"First time na nagkaron kami ng good start... [pero] in the second quarter, we were able to let them play their game," he said.

The KaTropa slowly chipped away at SMB's lead in the second canto, and Austria said his team simply didn't stay calm.

"Nagkaron kami ng konting scramble sa offense and defense and we're trying to get the ball to June Mar but something happened," Austria said.

"We were not able to get some good breaks and a little bit panic siguro nung nakahabol sila," he added.

Austria and his squad will hope to even the series on Sunday.