Beermen not waving white flag

MANILA, Philippines — Crippled, wounded and all, San Miguel Beer is not waving the white flag anytime soon with unfazed hopes of living another day in the PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals.

Without six-time MVP June Mar Fajardo, who is down with a knee injury, the Beermen are now on the edge of the cliff with a 0-2 slate in the race-to-three semis against no less than their sibling rival and reigning champion Barangay Ginebra.

Another loss would push SMB to the exit doors of the Final Four for the second straight conference after winning the Philippine Cup last year. Coach Jorge Gallent is not in the mood to entertain that possibility.

“We have to think of Game Three only. We have to win Game 3 and put our mindset that we’re not on vacation yet,” said the defiant mentor.

“Ginebra has to win three games to enter the finals and it’s only two. As long as there is a chance, it’s my job to put us into a position to get one (first) in Game 3.”

Getting that job done, however, will not be a walk in the park as the Beermen need to pull all the stops to repel a searing Ginebra side after convincing victories in the first two matches, 121-112, 121-103 – if they wish to stay alive and force Game 4.

“We have to play with effort, we have to play with discipline, we have to play with patience. I have to motivate them these next two days. Our mindset should not be on vacation mode just yet,” Gallent added.