The San Miguel Beermen all had their hair cut clean in an effort to show unity in the team before the game. And show a united, brave front they did, repulsing the Talk N Text Phone Pals, 79-70, to force a suddendeath in their PBA Governors Cup quarterfinals duel at the Astrodome last night.
Imports Lamont Strothers and Mario Bennett, who had become too temperamental the last few games, kept their focus on the game this time and blended well with the locals as San Miguel won the game it couldn’t afford to lose, thus, keeping alive its bid to regain the crown it lost to Sta. Lucia last year.
The Beermen blew hot and cold in the first half but returned to play steady on both ends of the court in the final half, foiling the Phone Pals’ first crack at a semifinals berth.
Now standing on even ground, Talk N Text, the elimination-round topnotcher, and San Miguel, the No. 8 in the elims, square off in a do-or-die game Sunday.
"Gustong magpakita ng unity kaya nag-pagupit kami lahat. Pero siguro may halo rin swerte galing kay coach Ron Jacobs who I visited yesterday (Monday). I whispered to him I needed his guidance. Baka tinulungan ako through mental telepathy," said interim SMB coach Siot Tanquingcen.
"We put in good efforts defensively. And we thought that’s the way to beat Talk N Text because it’s the best team offensively in the league today," added Tanquingcen.
"Lamont Strothers hasn’t been scoring much lately. But leadership-wise nandiyan siya. Then I also have to commend Dorian Pena who put up a good defensive job on Jerald Honeycutt."
The Beermen did play good defense all night, limiting the Phone Pals 20 points below their average in the elims. San Miguel held Talk N Text to a 40-percent shooting clip last night.