Laro Huwebes (Abril 25)
(Cuneta Astrodome)
7 p.m. San Miguel Beer vs Phoenix Fuel
MAHABLOT ang ikaapat na panalo na maghahatid dito sa Finals ang puntirya ng defending champion San Miguel Beermen kontra Phoenix Pulse Fuelmasters sa Game 5 ng kanilang 2019 PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven semifinals series ngayong Huwebes ng gabi sa Cuneta Astrodome sa Pasay City.
Hangad ng Beermen na tuluyan ng tapusin ang kanilang serye sa kanilang alas-7 ng gabi na laro kontra Fuelmasters na asam naman na mapalawig ang serye.
“We will work really hard the next game because we don’t want to extend the series,” sabi ni San Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria. “But it’s not easy because their (Fuel Masters) conference is on the line.”
Lumapit ang Beermen sa pagtutungtong sa best-of-seven championship series matapos na tambakan ang Fuelmasters, 114-91, sa naging mainitan at pisikal na Game 4 nitong Martes ng gabi sa Cuneta Astrodome.
“Mentally, we have to be tougher because this (Game 5) will not be an easy game,” sabi pa ni Austria. “I think mahirap na iyon, 3-1, although their chance is still there.”
“Whatever they’ll try, our players are ready. We should be prepared,” dagdag pa ni Austria. “I have instructed the players, ‘You have to fight back.’ Not (exactly) to fight back, but to compete with them. So whatever they throw at us, physically, mentally, we are ready. They are self-motivated.”
Maliban sa kanilang starting five, aasahan namang muli ni Austria ang magiging kontribusyon ng kanyang bench players sa pangunguna ni Terrence Romeo sa Game 5.
Hindi naman handang sumuko si Phoenix coach Louie Alas.
“We will not give up. Ang sabi ko nga sa kanila, kung me plano kayong mag-bakasyon ako last thing na gagawin ko dito is mag-give up, hangga’t di natatapos ito,” sabi ni Alas, na pipilitin ang kanyang koponan na makabangon sa serye.
“We will take it one game at a time,” dagdag pa ni Alas, na ang koponan ay kailangang mawalis ang nalalabing tatlong laro para mapatalsik sa kanilang trono ang Beermen.
Patuloy naman sasandigan ni Alas sina Calvin Abueva at Matthew Wright para pamunuan ang atake ng Phoenix.
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