Leo says King is key

MANILA, Philippines — San Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria’s main adjustment from 0-2 to 2-2 was George King defending Jordan Murphy and it could be the key to break the deadlock leading to the do-or-die Game 5 against Barangay Ginebra in the PBA Governors Cup quarterfinals at the Ynares Center, Antipolo, tonight.

Ginebra got off to a 2-0 lead with Murphy norming 31 points but when King went mano-a-mano, the former University of Minnesota standout was held to an average of 16.5 points as SMB evened the count. Another adjustment was Austria reinstating Marcio Lassiter and Chris Ross as starters in Game 3 after an experiment with Jericho Cruz and Rodney Brondial in losing Game 2. From scoring only a point in Games 1 and 2, Lassiter averaged 10 in Games 3 and 4. Ross also had one point in Games 1 and 2 but has since hit at a 13.5 clip.

“After we lost Game 1, I tried a big lineup with Brondial, June Mar (Fajardo), King, Jericho and CJ (Perez),” said Austria. “Walang nangyari so back to my basic lineup sa Game 3. Si King may sariling laptop kung saan siya nag-anaylze ng videos. Palagi nag-communicate sa akin with his ideas. Bumaba ang attempts niya kasi target siya ng Ginebra defense and he wants to be a team player kaya ayaw niyang tira ng tira. Sabi niya, siya ng bahala kay Murphy so our locals can take care of the others.”

In Game 4, King was back to his scoring ways, notching 11 in SMB’s 22-0 breakaway in the third quarter. But defense did the trick as Murphy was held to 16, RJ Abarrientos to seven and Stephen Holt to three. King fired 35 after averaging 16.5 points in Games 1 and 2. Austria said he expects Game 5 to be high intensity. “Emotions are always high when we play Ginebra and it will benefit ang mga manonood,” he said.

SMB team manager Gee Abanilla said King was instrumental in the turnaround. “George recognized how difficult it would be for our locals to guard Murphy so he took it upon himself to embrace that responsibility,” he said. “Coach Leo put his trust in our veterans. We’re hoping their experience and leadership will continue to make a difference. Chris has always been one of our leaders and I think the incident with the Ginebra staff (at halftime of Game 4) gave him added motivation. Hopefully, we can carry that same mindset, toughness and sense of urgency into Game 5. We know the job isn’t finished yet.”